Class 




BookJ^-V^i 



/ 



MR5. WHITMAN'S LETTERS 



[An additional number of the letters written by Mrs. Nar- 
cissa Whitman to her relatives in New York, have recently been 
secured, together with some very important ones from Dr. Whit- 
man himself, incidentally alluding to matters which of late years 
have been the subject of much controversy. The originals of the 
letters in this pamphlet, as well as those in the Transactions of 
this Association for 1891, are in my possession as a permanent 
contribution to the archives of our Association. At my earnest 
solicitation they were donated to us by Mrs. Harriet P. Jackson, 
a sister of Mrs. Whitman, who lived at Oberlin, Ohio, in 1893, 
to whom we owe a vote of thanks. The letter of Rev. H. H» 
Spalding to Mrs. Whitman's father, giving probably the first ac- 
count of the massacre, also appears in this pamphlet. — Geo. H. 
HlMES, Secretary.] 



Vancouver, July nth, 1843. 

My Beloved Sister Jane: — Your letters of March'and April, '42, 
I received about three weeks since, and can assure you I was not 
a little rejoiced in hearing from you, they being the first I have 
received from you since March, '40, by Mrs. Littlejohn. I have 
written you and Edward several times since — indeed, I always 
write you every opportunity, whether you get them or not. I 
heard of the death of dear sister Judson last September through 
Lawyer Divin, but no particulars until your letters came. About 
the same time one came from poor brother Judson, the only one 
I have received from him or Mary Ann since '39. My last from 
dear parents and Harriet was in September, '40; so you see I have 
not the means of knowing but little about you all, yet I trust that I 
am truly thankful for that little. It is a great cordial to me. I 



Fsso 

£1 



54 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

love you all with an undying love, and every fresh breeze I re- 
ceive fans it into a burning flame. I feel not the least disposi- 
tion to shed a tear on dear sister Judson's account, but rather to 
rejoice that she is so safely harbored in the bosom of her and 
our Saviour's love; but for the sake of those who still live and 
whom she might be the means of leading to Christ, I could mourn 
and weep in bitterness of soul. I rejoice, too, that the sustaining 
grace of God was so manifest to her beloved bereaved husband, 
and our dear parents, as well as you all, under the afflictive dis- 
pensation. My first thought when I heard of her death was that I 
should be the next to go; but it may be otherwise, the'Lord only 
knows. This I do know, His time will be the best time, and my 
chief concern is, and shall be, to be ready and have my work done 
and well done. But O, what a poor weak creature I am; how lit- 
tle I can do to glorify His great Name. What poor returns I make 
daily for His unbounded goodness to me. If I am saved I am sure 
it will not, it cannot, be because of any intrinsic worth in me, or 
an)' of my friends, but solely and alone for His sake who gave His 
own life a ransom to save a lost world. 

Dear Jane, I have the privilege of once more addressing you 
from Vancouver where I am spending a little time very pleasantly, 
and where I am favored with the medical advice and treatment 
of two very able physicians, Doctors Barclay and Tolmie. It will 
soon be seven years since I first saw this place. I should not be 
here now if my husband had not gone home and left me, or, I 
should have said, if my health had been sufficient for me to have 
continued at my post of labor among the Indians. Doctor White, 
the government Indian agent of this country, advised me to avail 
myself of this opportunity to rid myself from care and labor, come 
here and attend to the advice of Doctor Barclay for the perfect 
restoration of my health, and I have no reason to regret it so far. I 
feel that my health is improving, I hope, permanently. 

You speak of Mr. and Mrs. Abernethy. I have seen your letter 
to them and have only seen him a short time since I have been 
here. I hope to see them both in a few days, for I am waiting a 



:d 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 55 

convenient opportunity to go to the Willamette, where I expect 
to visit the different members of the Mission and spend a pleas- 
ant season among them. The two Missions are three hundred 
miles apart and it is not easy to visit back and forth, especially 
where all hands are full of business each in his own field of 
labor. 

You almost make me feel, from your letters, that you will 
accept of my invitation and come over and live with me and help 
me teach the poor Indians. Indeed! are you not now almost here 
with my beloved husband? The time draws near when I hope to 
see his dear face again, and O! am I to greet a beloved sister with 
him, and, perhaps, a dear brother, too? I know not what inex- 
pressible joys or sorrows are before this frail, trembling heart of 
mine; I feel that I could not survive an excess of either, my ner- 
vous system is so much impaired. But I know assuredly that the 
same grace that has sustained me hitherto under fiery trials, is 
able and will sustain in time to come. I am in His hand. The 
nine months past that I have been separated from my precious 
husband, have been months of His special favors to me in this 
dreary land of heathenish darkness. The sacrifice, if I may call 
it so, has been a very great one — much more so than I at first 
thought it could be, even to exceed that of leaving my native 
land and beloved friends, and coming to dwell among the hea- 
then. But the precious promises have" been fulfilled in my case 
leaving all for Christ's sake, as J trust I did in coming to this 
country, and freely consenting to be left so feeble and lonely 
in such a lonely situation, by my earthly protector, my husband. 
I feel that I have indeed received manifold more in this present 
time with an assured hope of receiving in the world to come life 
everlasting. 

I am pleased to hear so good an account of dear E.'s progress 
in study and piety, and sincerely hope he will be a useful and 
devoted Christian minister. I wish he would write me more, for 
his own sake as well as mine. 

Miss Jane A. Prentiss, 

Cuba, Alleghany County, 

New York, U. S. A. 



56 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 



Waiilatpu^Oregon Territory, \ 

April 12th, 1844. j 

My Beloved Father: — I was coming up the Columbia river from 
the Willamette and Vancouver with Rev. Jason Lee when your 
welcomed letter reached me. My husband had each of the sta- 
tions of the Mission to visit before he could come after me. Mr. 
Lee brought me on my way home as far as The Dalles, to Mr 
Perkins, one of their stations, where I spent the winter of my 
husband's absence. I remained there a few days, and my long 
absent doctor came for me. It was a joyful and happy meeting 
and caused our hearts to overflow with love and gratitude to the 
Author of all our mercies, for permitting us to see each other's 
faces again in the flesh. We came home immediately after a 
short visit with friends there. My health, which had been quite 
poor some of the time of his absence, was somewhat improved, 
but the voyage up the river, or rather the exposure of rain, cold 
and fatigue, and also the journey from Walla Walla here, proved 
injurious to me. I was so unwell when I reached home that I 
could scarcely get about the house for several weeks. I continued 
to decline, or, rather, had two attacks of remittent fever until the 
last of December, when I was taken with a very severe attack of 
inflammation of the bowels and bloating which threatened almost 
immediate death. The second night of the attack, we almost 
despaired of my living. From the first, I was taken with excruci- 
ating pain and spitting bilious fluid from the stomach, and could 
keep nothing down, nor effect a motion of the bowels sufficient 
to afford a permanent relief ; a clyster of salts was introduced into 
the bowels with a long tube and stomach pump the second night, 
and followed by a portion of the same medicine in the morning, 
which soon gave signs of relief. The cathartic operated favorably 
and thoroughly, and I recovered almost immediately so as to be 
able to sit up and be about the room. Previous to this, and al- 
most as soon as husband returned and inquired into my case, he 
discovered a beating tumor near the umbilicus and fears it is an 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 57 

aneurism of the main aorta below the heart. If what he fears is 
true, he says there is no probability or possibility of a cure, or of 
my ever enjoying anything more than a comfortable degree of 
health, and I am liable at any moment to a sudden death. While 
I was at Vancouver, I placed myself under Doctor Barclay's care, 
a surgeon of the H. B. Company's. He discovered that I had an 
enlargement of the right ovary and gave me iodine to remove it. 
I was very much improved by his kind attentions for that com- 
plaint, and had it not been for the other difficulty of the aorta 
which was not at that time discovered by Doctor Barclay, although 
it existed, I might have recovered my health. But the medicine 
I took for the cure of one tumor was an injury to the other, and 
for three months after my husband's return, my situation was a 
source of deepest anxiety to him and he greatly feared that he was 
about to be bereaved. But the Lord dealt in infinite loving kind- 
ness to us both, and in answer to prayer, raised me up again. Yes, 
beloved parents, while I was in that precarious state, and almost 
without hope that I should survive many hours, dear brother 
Littlejohn, who is now with us, prayed for me with the full assur- 
ance that the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord 
heard and answered. 

I am now much more comfortable than at that time husband 
expected I ever could be. I am able to take the whole care of my 
family and aid in doing the most difficult part of the work, or 
that that I cannot get done by others. During the first three 
months after my return to the station, husband was confined 
with the care of me and was obliged to have the whole care of 
the family upon his mind at the same time with his other duties. 
Our family was large and at the time I arrived, there were two 
large families of the emigrants in our house besides Mr. Little- 
john's, and our own consisted of six children and two hired men. 
We have written about our half breed children, those we had before 
the doctor left; in addition to those is Perrin, our nephew, and two 
English girls of the emigrating party of last year. One of them is 
thirteen and the other six; they are motherless; they have both re- 



58 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

quired much training, but I hope to realize much benefit from 
them if I should succeed in keeping them. 

This paper is so rough that it makes my writing look very 
miserable and I fear father and mother will scarcely be able to 
read it. I should take common-sized letter paper did I not wish to 
write more than one sheet. Last fall I did not write a single 
letter home. I was not able to, and feared I should never have 
the privilege again. Writing injures me very much, and unless I 
feel more than usually well I find it exceedingly difficult to 
attempt it, especially as I am situated; having just as much labor 
and care as a weak person ought to have, and much more that 
needs to be done. 

My beloved parents need not be surprised should they hear of 
my death soon. Ever since the fall of 1840, the sickness I had at 
that time, I have been declining. Every spring I revive and feel 
quite well, and feel as if I should regain my health again, but 
every fall and winter I am very miserable. I may live several 
years yet, with care and favoring myself, but I do not expect it. 
My dear parents must wish to know how my mind stands affect- 
ed in view of death. I can sincerely say that "I would not live 
always." Yet so long as I can be permitted to live and be a bene- 
fit to the living and the cause of Christ, I desire to. At times I 
long to be at rest, to be free from sin and its defilements and be 
made complete in the righteousness of our dear Saviour. Earth 
and the things of this world in themselves considered have no 
charms for me. I can resign them all for a place in the presence 
of Jesus. I feel that I am a miserably poor sinner, and unworthy 
of a name or a place among the "sons and daughters of the Lord 
God Almighty." Yet I hope and trust alone in the merits of him 
who is infinitely worthy, for salvation from all sin and unright- 
eousness. He is my all, and I desire to be His entirely. 

Last winter I felt in some considerable degree what is one of 
the missionary's greatest trials, to be sick and nigh unto death, 
and to die away from father, mother, brothers and sisters, and 



TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 59 

sympathizing friends. It is, indeed, no small trial for flesh and 
blood to endure, but thanks to God, His cheering presence can 
more than supply the absence of all these. Do my dear parents 
cease not to pray for your afflicted daughter that I may be pre- 
pared; ready, watching and waiting for the summons to depart 
and be with Christ "which is far better." For His sake and the 
missionary cause, I could live long and toil and labor through 
many a wearisome day and night to aid in accomplishing His 
great work. But as He directs, so I desire to follow, and to say, 
"The will of the Lord be done." 

I have something to say concerning the manner in which I 
spent my time last summer while the doctor was gone. I forget 
when was the last time I wrote you. I think, however, it was 
last spring. I came from Mr. Perkins in April and visited the 
station and went to Walla Walla in May to avail myself of the 
opportunity of a passage in the brigade boats the first of June. 
We reached Vancouver in five days, remained there until the mid- 
dle of July and then went to the Willamette Falls, where I spent 
three weeks very pleasantly in the families of Mr. Abernethy and 
Mr. Walters of the Methodist Mission. In August, the Company's 
ship was about leaving in which Mr. and Mrs. Lee of Waskopum 
was about to depart in her; also Dr. Babcock and wife and Mr. 
and Mrs. Frost, all Methodist missionaries. I went down to the 
mouth of the Columbia river to see them depart and to get a 
view of the Pacific <">cean. I enjoyed the voyage down and my 
visit there very much. The scenery of the ocean and the bar was 
new to me. I also had a visit with the families of the Mission at 
the Clatsop station. Mr. and Mrs. Parrish, Mr. and Mrs. Ray j 
mond, Mr. and Mrs.Judson and family, and Mrs. Olley [Olney?] 
had come down for the benefit of Mrs. Judson's health. Mr. Leslie 
and Mr. Jason Lee were there also. I spent a day or two on board 
ship with Mrs. Lee, in whose society I enjoyed so much satisfaction 
while at Waskopum. Visited the celebrated Astoria, now Fort 
George, and the day the ship sailed went round Clatsop Point to 
the station and spent nearly a week there and enjoyed some prec- 
ious religious privileges with the brethren and sisters there and re- 



60 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

turned with Mr. J. Lee and Mr. Leslie to the Willamette Falls, and 
immediately proceeded up the river to the upper Mission and 
visited the families of Rev. Mr. Hinds, Mr. Beers and others, and 
also Mr. and Mrs. Gray, my old associates. While there a camp- 
meeting was held near by, which I attended and a precious season 
it was to my soul. To witness again the anxious tear and hear the 
deep-felt inquiry, "What must I do to be saved?" as I once used to, 
filled me with joy inexpressible. It continued four days and re- 
sulted in the conversion of almost all the impenitent on the 
ground. From this precious season, after a week or two, we came 
to the Falls where a protracted meeting was held. While that 
was in progress, the news came that my husband was on his re- 
turn with a hundred and forty wagons containing an immense 
party of emigrants, and that probably he was now at Waiilatpu. 
This was cheering news, as I had just heard from the Islands 
through Mr. Hall that, iu recent news from the States to the Islands 
down as late as April, 1843, no mention was made of his arrival. 
This had given me much anxiety, but it was not long before the 
other intelligence came. The last week in September, I left the 
Falls for Vancouver and The Dalles in company with Mr. J. Lee, 
the Superintendent of that Mission, and turned my back upon 
many dear friends in Christ with whom I was permitted to form 
an acquaintance and a Christian attachment never to be for- 
gotten. 

Having been so long secluded, I was well prepared to enjoy 
society and 1 may well say that some of the moments spent there 
with Christian friends were among the happiest in my life. We 
made a short stay at Vancouver and then proceeded on our way 
up the river. Passing the Cascades and making the portage, we 
had continual rain, and before we reached The Dalles, I took cold 
to my great injury, as it afterwards proved. Between the Cascades 
and The Dalles, I received father's letter with several others from 
friends, also sisters Jane, C. and H; I am greatly obliged to them 
for writing. Mr. Lee waited at The Dalles until the doctor came. 
It was pleasing to see the pioneers of the two Missions meet and 
hold counsel together. Soon we parted and I turned my face with 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 6l 

my husband toward this dark spot, and dark, indeed, it seemed 
to be to me when compared with the scenes, social and religious 
which I had so recently been enjoying with so much zest. 

When we parted with Mr. Lee, we little thought that our first 
news from him would be, that he had set his face toward his na- 
tive land. But it was, indeed, so. He has gone again and I should 
rejoice if dear father and mother would see him. He has shown 
me great kindness during niy lonely state, and may the Lord 
reward him for it. He has been deeply afflicted in his domestic 
relations. He has buried two excellent wives, and a little son. 
A little daughter of his last wife, still survives to comfort and 
cheer him in his loneliness. She has gone with him to the States; 
and so has Rev. Mr. Hinds and his wife. As they are from the 
region of Allegheny county, I hope father will see them. 

It must appear singular to friends at home to hear of the re- 
turn of so many missionaries from Oregon. So it seems to us; 
but we have not the discouragements which our friends of that 
Mission have. The Indians of the Willamette and the coast are 
diminishing rapidly; but they have another work put into their 
hands. Settlers are coming into the country like a flood and 
every one of these need the gospel preached to them as much as 
the heathen. That Society have been and are doing a great deal 
of good in the lower country. Mr. Clark and Mr. Griffin, minis- 
ters of our denomination, are settled near on the Tualatin plains 
and are doing much good in the way of schools and preaching. I 
did not visit them, although greatly urged to; on account of my 
health I could not ride there, as it was some distance from the 
river. 

I was greatly disappointed in not seeing Jane when the doctor 
returned. I fancied he would bring her, and so he would have 
done had a family been coming with whom it would have been 
prudent for her to come. I still hope some day to see her here. 
But I know not how. This I do know, that no one of my friends 
at home know of how much comfort she would be to me if she 
was here. 



62 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

Sister Littlejohn is a great comfort to me. She acted the 
part of a sister to me during my sickness, but I do not always 
expect to keep her. Mr. Littlejohn is in poor health and unable 
to labor. His mind suffers greatly from dejection and melan- 
choly, and he longs to go back so the States again. 

Mr. and Mrs. Spalding and two children have been deeply 
afflicted the past summer, just before the doctor's return, with 
sickness, especially Mrs. S. She lay for several days expecting 
every moment would be her last, and no physician near. Mr. 
and Mrs. Littlejohn was there at that time, and as soon as possi- 
ble Mr. Geiger, who was at this station, was sent for, also Mr. 
Walker, to preach her funeral sermon — expecting she would die 
before he reached there. Her husband and children were sick at 
the same time and all must have perished had it not been that 
Mr. and Mrs. Littlejohn were providentially there, having a short 
time before returned from Mr. Walker's. God in mercy spared 
them all and restored them back to health again. But Mrs. S. is 
feeble, and like myself, we feel cannot be expected to live long. 

Since my return to the station, Mrs. S. has written me very 
kindly, showing that her feelings have undergone a change dur- 
ing her sickness, while in the near view of death and expecting 
every moment to enter the dark valley. This is a great consola- 
tion to us, and we hope and believe that they both feel different 
toward us from what they did, and surely they have great reason 
to, from husband's account of his visit to the rooms in Boston. 

I desire never to pass through such scenes of trial as I have 
done, and God grant that I may never be called to. We both have 
spent a happy winter in each other's society. Having those un- 
happy difficulties removed makes a change in our every day feel- 
ings. We are happier in each other and happier in God and in 
our work than we could have been while laboring under those ex- 
citing difficulties — yea! soul-destroying difficulties, I may well say. 

For more than a year past I have enjoyed an unwonted quiet 
resting upon God my Redeemer, especially during my husband's 



OREGON" PIONEER ASSOCIATION 63 

absence. Truly my Saviour was with me in those trying hours, 
and sustained me far beyond what I deserve. A calm, peaceful 
sense of His abiding presence was what I almost daily realized. 
Being free from any distracting cares of my family and the sta- 
tion, I had nothing else to do but rest myself in my Saviour's 
arms; and it would be well for me now if I were to do the same, 
instead of attempting to shoulder my cares, as I often do — to cast 
them on Him who has said " Cast thy burdens upon the Lord and 
He will sustain thee." I know this, and believe it, too, for I have 
sometimes realized it. But to have the constant habit of doing so 
is what I would gladly obtain, and I know I may with diligence 
and prayerful watching thereunto. 

I see I have almost exceeded my limits, and must think of 
closing. Father's letters are choice gems to me, and I hope he 
will continue to write as long as I live. O! that dear mother 
would put some of her thoughts on paper for the consolation of 
my heart. She does not know what joy it would give me. I am 
a thousand times thankful for all the favors I receive from home, 
and shall write to alias many and as much as my weak state will 
admit. 

Love to all, in which husband unites. I am sorry he did not 
have time to make a longer visit after going so far. Farewell, 
dear father and mother, and if I never write again till we meet 
in heaven, 

Your ever affectionate daughter, 

Narcissa Whitman. 

Hon. Stephen Prentiss, 

Cuba, Allegheny Co., 

N. Y., U. S. A. 



64 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 



FROM DR. WHITMAN 

WaiilaTpu, May 16th, 1844. 

My Dear Father and Mother : — A little more than a year has 
elapsed since I had the pleasure of seeing you. The remembrance 
of that visit will never be effaced from my mind. I did not mis- 
judge as to my duty to return home; the importance of my ac- 
companying the emigration on one hand and the consequent 
scarcity of provisions on the other, strongly called for my return, 
and forbid my bringing another party that year. 

As I hold the settlement of this country by Americans rather 
than by an English colony most important, I am happy to have 
been the means of landing so large an emigration on to the shores 
of the Columbia, with their wagons, families and stock, all in 
safety. 

The health of Narcissa was such in my absence and since my 
return as to call loudly for my presence. We despaired of her 
life at times and for the winter have not felt she could live long. 
But there is more hope at present, although nothing very decisive 
can be said. While on the way back, I had an inflammation in my 
foot which threatened to suppurate, but I discussed it and thought 
nothing more of it until I got home, when I found I had a tumor 
on the instep. It appears to be a bony tumor and has given me 
a good deal of apprehension and inconvenience, but is now some 
better, but not well. 

It gives me much pleasure to be back again and quietly at 
work again for the Indians. It does not concern me so much 
what is to become of any particular set of Indians, as to give them 
the offer of salvation through the gospel and the opportunity of 
civilization, and then I am content to do good to all men as "I 
have opportunity." I have no doubt our greatest work is to be to 
aid the white settlement of this country and help to found its re- 



TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 65 

ligious institutions. Providence has its full share in all these 
events. Although the Indians have made and are making rapid 
advance in religious knowledge and civilization, yet it cannot be 
hoped that time will be allowed to mature either the work of 
Christianization or civilization before the white settlers will de- 
mand the soil and seek the removal of both the Indians and the 
Mission. What Americans desire of this kind they always effect, 
and it is equally useless to oppose or desire it otherwise. To guide, 
as far as can be done, and direct these tendencies for the best, is 
evidently the part of wisdom. Indeed, I am fully convinced that 
when a people refuse or neglect to fill the designs of Providence, 
they ought not to complain at the results; and so it is equally 
useless for Christians to be anxious on their account. The Indians 
have in no case obeyed the command to multiply and replenish 
the earth, and they cannot stand in the way of others in doing so. 
A place will be left them to do this as fully as their ability to 
obey will permit, and the more we can do for them the more fully 
will this be realized. No exclusiveness can be asked for any por- 
tion of the human family. The exercise of his rights are all 
that can be desired. In order for this to its proper extent in re- 
gard to the Indians, it is necessary that they seek to preserve their 
rights by peaceable means only. Any violation of this rule will 
be visited with only evil results to themselves. 

The Indians are anxious about the consequence of settlers 
among them, but I hope there will be no acts of violence on either 
hand. An evil affair at the Falls of the Wallamett, resulted in 
the death of two white men killed and one Indian. But all is 
now quiet. I will try to write to Brother Jackson when I will 
treat of the country, etc. 

It will not surprise me to see your whole family in this 

country in two years. Let us hear from vou often. Narcissa may 

be able to write for herself. We wish to be remembered with 

your other children in your prayers. 

Your affectionate son, 

Marcus Whitman. 
Hon. Stephen Prentiss, 

Cuba, Allegheny Co., 

New York. 



66 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

WaiilaTpu, Oct. 9th, 1844. 

Beloved and Honored Parents: — I have no unanswered letters 
on hand, either from dear father and mother or any of the family, 
yet I cannot refrain from writing every stated opportunity. The 
season has arrived when the emigrants are beginning to pass us 
on their way to the Willamette. Last season there were such a 
multitude of starving people passed us that quite drained us of 
all our provisions, except potatoes. Husband has been endeavor- 
ing this summer to cultivate so as to be able to impart without 
so much distressing ourselves. In addition to this, he has been 
obliged to build a mill, and to do it principally with his own 
hands, which has rendered it exceedingly laborious for him. In 
the meantime, I have endeavored to lighten his burden as much 
as possible in superintending the ingathering of the garden, etc. 
During this period, the Indians belonging to this station and the 
Nez Perces go to Forts Hall and Boise to meet the emigrants for 
the purpose of trading their wornout cattle for horses. Last week 
Tuesday, several young men arrived, the first of the party that 
brought us any definite intelligence concerning them (having 
nothing but Indian reports previous), among whom was a youth 
from Rushville formerly, of the name of Gilbert, one of husband's 
scholars. 

Last Friday a family of eight arrived, including the grand- 
mother, an aged woman, probably as old, or older than my mother. 
Several such persons have passed, both men and women, and I 
often think when I gaze upon them, shall I ever be permitted to 
look upon the face of my dear parents in this land? 

25th — When I commenced this letter I intended to write a 
little every day, so as to give you a picture of our situation at this 
time. But it has been impossible. Now I must write as briefly 
as possible and send off my letter, or lose the opportunity. The 
emigration is late in getting into the country. It is now the last 
of October and they have just begun to arrive with their wagons. 
The Blue mountains are covered with snow, and many families, if 
not half of the party, are back in or beyond the mountains, and 
what is still worse, destitute of provisions and some of them of 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 67 

clothing. Many are sick, several with children born on the way. 
One family arrived here night before last, and the next morn a 
child was born; another is expected in the same condition. 

Here we are, one family alone, a way mark, as it were, or 
center post, about which multitudes will or must gather this 
winter. And these we must feed and warm to the extent of our 
powers. Blessed be God that He has given us so abundantly of 
the fruit of the earth that we may impart to those who are thus 
famishing. Two preachers with large families are here and wish 
to stay for the winter, both Methodist. With all this upon our 
hands, besides our duties and labors for the Indians, can any one 
think we lack employment or have any time to be idle? 

Mr. and Mrs. Littlejohn left us in September and have gone 
below to settle in the Willamette. We have been looking for 
associates this fall, but the Board could get none ready, but say, 
they will send next year. Am I ever to see any of my family 
among the tide of emigration that is flowing west? 

Our mill is finished and grinds well. It is a mill out of doors 
or without a house; that we must build next year. 

We have employed a young man of the party to teach school, 
so that we hope to hav« both an English school and one for the 
natives. My health has been improving remarkably through the 
summer, and one great means has been daily bathing in the river. 
I was very miserable one year ago now, and was brought very low 
and poor; now I am better than I have been for some time, and 
quite fleshy for me. I weigh one hundred and sixty-seven pounds; 
much higher than ever before in my life. This will make the 
girls laugh, I know. Mrs. Spalding's health is better than last 
year. She expects an increase in her family soon. 

This country is destined to be filled, and we desire greatly to 
have good people come, and ministers and Christians, that it may 
be saved from being a sink of wickedness and prostitution. We 
need many houses to accommodate the families that will be obliged 
to winter here. All the house room that we have to spare is filled 



68 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

already. It is expected that there are more than five hundred 
souls back in the snow and mountains. Among the number is 
an orphan family of seven children, the youngest an infant born 
on the way, whose parents have both died since they left the 
States. Application has been made for us to take them, as they 
have not a relative in the company. What we shall do I cannot 
say; we cannot see them suffer, if the Lord casts them upon us. 
He will give ns His grace and strength to do our duty to them. 

I cannot write any more, I am so thronged and employed 
that I feel sometimes like being crazy, and my poor husband, if 
he had a hundred strings tied to him pulling in every direction, 
could not be any worse off. 

Dear parents, do pray earnestly for your children here, for 
their situation is one of great trial, as well as of responsibility. 

Love from us both to you all. I am disappointed in not 
getting letters from some of the dear ones this fall, but so it 
must be and I submit. 

Your affectionate daughter, 

Narcissa. 
Hon. Stephen Prentiss, 

Cuba, Allegheny Co., 

New York. 



WAiitATPU, April 8th, 1845. 

My Dear Father: — It gives me pleasure to write you at this 
time, as I know you will be anxious to hear how we prosper. The 
health of Narcissa is very much improved from what it was when 
I came home and the winter following, yet it is not good, nor is 
it likely to be again. She is, however, able to take the charge of 
the family, and to perform much important labor. Our family 
had the important addition of an orphan family of seven chil- 
dren whose parents both died on the road to this country. The two 
oldest are boys, the oldest is fourteen, and the rest are girls; the 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 69 

youngest was only five months when she came here. It did not 
seem likely the little one could have lived many days more, but 
she is now strong and healthy, as are all the rest. 

I have thought much for the last winter that I should be 
glad if you were in this country. The immigrants are benefiting 
themselves much by coming here, as they take each a mile square 
of land and will hold it, as they make such regulations among 
themselves, in accordance with the bill of Mr. Linn, formerly in 
the Senate of the U. S. 

No country now open to settlers presents such a field for en- 
terprise, as this near vicinity to the Pacific ocean offers large 
promise of commercial advantage. The salubrity of the climate 
is such here that I am every year only the more and more admir- 
ing it. Flowers have been in blossom in this valley this year 
since the middle of January, and the grass is as fine for the whole 
winter as in almost any other country in June. 

I have had much to do with supplying immigrants for the 
last two years. 

My mill was burnt soon after I left for the States, but I have 
rebuilt it, and have a saw-mill in a state of forwardness, which I 
hope to start soon after planting. It is about twenty miles from 
the house and situated in the Blue mountains. It is necessary to 
have a saw-mill, as we are in want of conveniences, and our houses 
are to be roofed anew, as we have only dirt roofs at present, and 
besides we have no house over our flour-mill, and we need store- 
houses. 

We must also use a saw-mill for fencing, as timber is so scarce 
except in the mountains. The Indians are doing more this year 
at farming than before and fencing much better — a thing much 
needed, for most of them are now getting more or less cows and 
other cattle. I have killed nineteen beeves, of course mostly to 
supply immigrants. The last was but two years old when killed 
the 10th of March and weighed six-hundred, and the tallow, after 
one hind quarter was sold, weighed 65 lbs. This will show a spec- 



70 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

imen of my stock, as we never feed either to raise or fatten, and he 
was only an ordinary animal. I have four two year old heifers (this 
spring only) which have each better yearlings sucking them, prob- 
ably than any that can be shown in the state of New York, except 
they have had more than one cow's milk. 

We have above eighty sheep, a large part ewes, as we kill the 
wethers — besides all that have been killed by dogs, wolves, etc., 
and besides a good many furnished the Indians. All these came 
from one ewe brought from the Sandwich Islands in '38 and two 
more brought in '39. We shall have more than a hundred when 
the spring lambs have come. 

Let us hear from you, and if any of you think to come here. 

I have had many a rebuke by Narcissa, because I did not 
bring Jane with me when I came back. Edward might do well 
in this country, and we shall be glad to see him when his educa- 
tion is completed, if he is to complete it; but if not, still let him 
come, but only with a wife. You can come in wagons all the way, 
but bring nothing but provisions and necessary clothing — nothing. 
Accept our love for you all. And believe us. 

Your affectionate children, 

Marcus Whitman. 



My Dear Parents: — I have now a family of eleven children. 
This makes me feel as if I could not write a letter, not even to my 
dearest friends, much as I desire to. I get along very well with 
them; they have been to school most of the time; we have had an 
excellent teacher, a young man from New York. He became 
hopefully converted soon after entering our family, and mother, I 
wish you could see me now in the midst of such a group of little 
ones; there are two girls of nine years, one of seven, a girl and boy 
of six, another girl of five, another of three and the baby, she is 
now ten months. I often think of mother when she had the care 
of Henry Martin Curtis. 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 7 1 

It would make me indescribably happy to have father and 
mother and some of the children come to Oregon; but it is such a 
journey I fear mother would be sorry she undertook it, if she should 
conclude to come, but if once here I think there would be no cause 
of regret. Families can come quite comfortable and easy in wag- 
ons all the way. But why should I wish thus? It cannot be pos- 
sible that I shall see my beloved parents again — is it?- -until I meet 
them in heaven. The Lord only knows; I will leave it with Him 
to direct all these things. We have had some serious trials this 
spring with the Indians. Two important Indians have died and 
they have ventured to say and intimate that the doctor has killed 
them by his magical power, in the same way they accuse their 
own sorcerers and kill them for it. Also an important young man 
has been killed in California by Americans; he was the son of the 
Walla Walla chief and went there to get cattle, with a few others. 
This has produced much excitement also. We are in the midst of 
excitement and prejudice on all sides, both from Indians and 
passing immigrants, but the Lord has preserved us hitherto and 
will continue to, if we trust Him. Love to all, as ever and forever. 

Your affectionate daughter, 

Narcissa. 

Miss Jane A. Prentiss, 

Cuba, New York. 



Waiilatpu, April 9th, 1846. 

My Dear Mother: — It is now ten years since I left the paternal 
roof of my home east of the Rocky mountains, and how much 
have I been thinking of the scenes that transpired at that time, 
and of the dear, dear friends, I have left behind. My father, my 
mother, venerable friends — shall I ever behold your faces again in 
the flesh? O, how I long to see you, yet I dare not indulge the 
thought lest I should be found to murmur. If it would give such 
joy and satisfaction to meet again in this world, to interchange 
thoughts and feelings, what will it be to meet above, when we 



72 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

shall be free from sin and sorrow, in the immediate presence of 
our Saviour to adore and wonder together and praise God and the 
Lamb before the throne. My thoughts have been very much in 
heaven, on heavenly subjects for two or three months past, hav- 
ing been permitted to accompany a fellow traveler down to the 
gates of death and to see him pass the dark waters triumphantly 
and enter joyfully the New Jerusalem above. O, what a glorious 
sight, and I may say that reluctantly I turned away, mourning 
that I was not permitted to follow him in reality as with an eye 
of faith. The individual I refer to, was not a relative, or I could 
not have stood and looked on with such composure and quietness, 
he was a young man nearly thirty- two years of age; far gone in 
the consumption when he arrived here last fall, as one of last im- 
migration — Joseph S. Findly, from Illinois, and without friends 
and money, left here to die among strangers. His brother went 
on past to the Willamette, and he stopped here because it was 
more unfavorable for an invalid there in the winter time then 
here. We had assistance, however, in taking care of him until the 
last month of his life, when the sole care devolved on me and tho 
children; my health very poor all the time. You can see, beloved 
parents, what my work was, when I tell you that when he came 
here, he was without a Saviour. This gave deep anxiety of mind 
and earnest prayers, until the Lord was pleased to bring him to 
himself, but the evidence was not always so clear as to feel very con- 
fident in his case, so that, during the whole time, I felt a tender 
anxious watchfulness for him, which led me to be constantly 
seeking an opportunity of nourishing and cherishing him as I 
would a little child. Blessed be the Lord, he did not suffer me to 
labor in vain, but from time to time gave me evidence to believe 
that the good which he had begun, was progressing. Along in Feb- 
ruary he manifested a desire to unite with the church. An oppor- 
tunity was presented. 

Mr. Spalding and family visited us the last of February, and 
on the 26th, he with Mr. Rogers, another young man that had 
been employed as teacher of our children, offered themselves and 
were received most joyfully into our little church here in the 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 73 

wilderness. He was unable to sit up, consequently we were gath- 
ered around his sick and dying bed, to commemorate with him 
for the first and last time the dying love of our blessed Redeemer 
before he left us to join the church triumphant above. From this 
time on his evidence of an acceptance grew brighter and stronger, 
yet it never exceeded a calm and steady trusting in the Saviour, 
sometimes doubting almost that such a sinner could be saved. 
I never could discover anything like ecstasy, joy, or rejoicing at 
any time in his state of mind. He never had received very much 
religious instruction in his youth, his mother having died when 
he was quite young. 

Many, very many, precious seasons I have spent with him, 
reading, conversing, and praying with him, and I have been very 
much refreshed myself in doing it. Although I had more work 
and care on my hands than I could do, without him, in the care 
of my eleven children, yet I felt that it was work that the Lord 
put in my hands and He would and did give me strength to 
do it. He died on Saturday, 28th of March, few minutes past one, 
He was more than two hours dying. Mr. Spalding was provi- 
dentially present at the time of his death. When I discovered a 
change had taken place in his breathing, I went to him and 
told him that I thought Jesus was about to take him away, 
and asked him if he did not rejoice? He said he did, if he 
knew what rejoicing was. Soon he said, " Lord, help me now," 
and then asked Mr. Spalding and myself if we thought he was 
smothering, meaning that he was distressed to get his breath; we 
told him we thought he was dying, and asked if he did not wish 
Mr. Spalding to pray? He said, "Yes;" and we united in fervent 
prayer that the Lord would not forsake him now in this trying 
hour, and commended his departing spirit into the hands of his 
Saviour. 

The family were called in. I asked him if he felt the Sav- 
iour present with him now? He said deliberately, "I think He 
is." Occasionally ejaculations "like these would be heard from 
him as we stood watching around him, "Lord, help me now; Thy 
will be done." After a little he looked up and around and said, 



74 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

"Farewell to this world;" then, some moments after, "Father, 
Thy will be done." Afterwards he reached his hand to husband 
and I, with a look of gratitude and thankfulness for the kindness 
he had received from us. Soon after Mr. Spalding asked him if 
the Saviour was with him? After a moment he said, " I think so." 
Shortly after he ejaculated, "Jesus, save me." Mr. Rogers stood 
by him holding his hand. In a few minutes he looked at us 
with inexpressible sweetness depicted in his countenance, and 
said, "Sweet Jesus! sweet Jesus! sweet Jesus!" as if anxious that 
we should receive the evidence of his Saviour's presence with him 
and the token he had just received from Him. It was like a ray 
of glory bursting through him upon our minds. It completely 
melted us all. From this time on he lay breathing still more 
and more laborious, and he desired us to try and turn him to see 
if he could not find relief; but the change of position made it still 
more difficult, and he wished to lie back again as he was before, 
exclaiming, " Sweet Jesus! sweet Jesus!" as if the Saviour had 
again given him another taste of His sweetness, and assurance 
that rest or ease was not for him in this world. After this the 
occasional uttering of these words, " Sweet Jesus!" led us to think 
that his communion was more with the inhabitants of the heav- 
enly world [than with us, although he was most perfectly con- 
scious of every thing that passed up to the last moment. A little 
after one o'clock he uttered "Sweet Jesus!" sweet Redeemer!" 
and then " Farewell, farewell, farewell!" and, indistinctly, " I am 
going!" and thus expired, sweetly yielding up his spirit into the 
hands of his Redeemer. 

This was new and unexpected to Mr. Spalding and Mr. Rog- 
ers, they having never seen the like before. As for me, I had been 
asking that the Lord might be glorified in his death, and thus we 
were left without a doubt that our brother, on whom we had be- 
stowed so much anxious care, had gone to be forever with the 
Lord; feeling, too, that we had been more than amply rewarded 
for the labor bestowed upon him. He was always so grateful for 
the attention shown him, particularly for the instruction and re- 
ligious help he received — said if he had ever in his life had such 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 75 

instruction, he would never have lived so far from the Saviour as 
he had done. He felt that I had been a mother to him, for he 
never received such attention before from any one, and he said it 
weeping. But it was all of the Lord to dispose my heart in kind- 
ness toward him when I am always so weak and burdened with 
cares. "I was a stranger, and ye took me in; sick, and ye minis- 
tered unto me" — these and similar passages all the way through 
were my support; and I pray God I may always be in a frame of 
mind to apply this scripture, " Be not forgetful to entertain 
strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." 



April 10th, 1846. 

My Dear Father: — I have received no letters from father, 
mother or any the sisters or brothers in Allegheny county since 
husband returned. I wonder why, sometimes, and feel a little 
like complaining. Nothing I receive from the United States 
gives me so much comfort as letters from my dear parents. I am 
sure those sisters and brothers might write oftener if they would 
think so. It ina}- be that you are feeling as if I had not been as 
faithful lately as formerly; true, I have not, but it is not for the 
want of a disposition. The greatest reason is want nf health, then 
the care of a large family of eleven children, aside from our com- 
plicated duties to the Indians. Think of our being the sole in- 
structors spiritually and mentally of so many children, except 
during the winter, we hire a teacher; otherwise all these mental 
and physical instructions devolves upon us, and no responsibility 
is greater than the care of so many immortal souls to train up for 
God, and we must be the ministers, Sabbath school teachers, par- 
ents and all to our children. I am sometimes about ready to sink 
under the weight of responsibility resting upon me, and should, 
were it not that an Almighty hand sustains me. Bringing up a 
family of children in a heathen land, where every influence tends 
to degrade rather than elevate, requires no small measure of faith 
and patience, as well as great care and prayerful watchfulness. 
Under such circumstances, how comforting could I call in the 



76 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

superior wisdom and experience of my beloved parents to aid us 
in times of emergency. As a substitute for this, however, and for 
it I desire to be thankful, the influence of the impressions made 
upon my young mind by those beloved ones are now being called 
forth and acting upon other minds to a degree that astonishes me 
many times, and I may say that almost always those impres- 
sions are of such a nature, that if faithfully carried out, would 
greatly tend to promote the honor and glory of God. Children 
of such parents have much, very much, to praise God for, and if it 
should be found at last that any of them have not borne fruit to 
His Name's glory, how great will be their condemnation. 

There has been considerable evidence of the movings of the 
Holy Spirit upon the minds of the children since the first of Jan- 
uary, as well as upon some that wintered here. For ourselves, we 
feel that our own souls have been greatly revived, and I hope and 
pray that we may never again relapse into such a state of insensi- 
bility and worldly-mindedness as we many times have found our- 
selves in. This may seem strange to my dear father, that mission- 
aries should ever become worldly-minded; and it should be strange, 
for it never ought to be; but situated as we are, with every thing 
of a temporal nature to see to, in supplying our own family 
with food and clothing, to try and save expenses to the churches, 
and also to relieve as much as possible a starving immigration as 
they pass, together with the temporal and spiritual calls of the In- 
dians — what time is there left for the care of one's own heart? 
If there is any, it may all be required to restore our over-exhaust- 
ed natures, which often groan under their burden and will sooner 
or later tumble and fall down. I would not plead any excuse; if 
there is fault any where it is in undertaking to accomplish too 
much of a worldly nature. When I say this, a thought comes in: 
Where shall we draw the line? As it is, we but just make the ends 
meet, and sometimes with the greatest difficulty, too. Much, very 
much, is left undone that might be done to make us more com- 
fortable and save labor. Thus we struggle on from year to year. 

How cheering under such circumstances, when the heart is 
weighed to the earth with a burden too heavy for mortal man to 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 77 

sustain, to have an aged Christian, a minister whose heart is al- 
ways glowing with love to God and for the souls of men, call in, sit 
and converse awhile and draw the mind to heavenly things and 
sympathize and pray with us. To me it would seem to fill my 
soul with such ecstacy that I should want nothing more. It 
would be a heaven on earth. Perhaps, dear father will say that I 
can draw a richer draught from the fountain head, Jesus, oftener 
and easier than that. True, I may; but that requires effort and 
energy of mind more than I at all times possess, laboring as I am 
under the infirmity of a debilitated nervous system. But why 
should I be indulged in such a melancholy strain? Can it be that 
I wish to excuse myself for negligence on my part? This, I con- 
fess, is too often a fault; for if it were otherwise, I should not be 
mourning for my beloved Jesus as I often find myself now, not- 
withstanding His permitting me to speak of His faithfulness and 
of His tender care and love for me, unworthy as I am. He gives 
me now and then streams from which to gather refreshing sweet- 
ness. But the fountain head oftener pours its healing waters into 
my weary, sin-sick soul. Instead of complaining that I enjoy so 
little, rather let me rejoice that my mercies and spiritual com- 
fort and enjoyments are so many and great. 

If my dear father and mother were here, I think they would 
be very well contented, for we could give them a very comfortable 
home and enough to eat and do, and if the distance were not so 
great, I should hope the) - would come and finish their days with 
us. But it is a dreadful journey to perform to get here, and I 
ought not to ask such a sacrifice of them for my own comfort, 
merely; but if there could be a design worthy of the sacrifice and 
fatigue to such elderly people, I should ask it with all my heart, 
if there was a willing mind. I know tather once used to think 
he should come to Oregon; but if I recollect right he wrote me 
that he had given it up. It is not so difficult to get here now as 
when I came, for families come in wagons all the way. The fa- 
tigue is great, however, and the dust from Fort Hall here is very 
afflicting; aside from that, with food enough and teams enough, 
no loading except necessary clothing, it would not be difficult. 



78 *r\VENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

Father, if you would send word from Fort Hall we could send 
and meet you and assist you on. But the greatest affliction would 
be to the pious soul — it is so continually vexed with the ungodly con- 
versation and profanity of the wicked, and is so often brought 
into straitened circumstances with regard to his own duty in 
obeying the commands of God, such as keeping the Sabbath, etc., 
that he often is wounded to that degree that it requires many 
months, if not years, before he is restored to his wonted health 
again. To be in a country among a people of no law, even if they 
are from a civilized land, is the nearest like a hell on earth of 
anything I can imagine. I do not say that the journey cannot be 
performed and the Christian enjoy his peace of mind and contin- 
ued communion witb God all the way. But this I know, that the 
experience of all proves it to be exceedingly difficult, if not impos- 
sible. It is often said that every Christian gets so that he can 
swear before the journey is completed. One thing has been true 
of almost every party that have crossed the mountains; Christians 
are not warned of their danger before starting, and are conse- 
quently off their guard. If I had to ever again, I should try and 
pray more, both in secret, family and social meetings, but above 
all in secret, for if faithful there the soul is kept alive and in health, 
Generally speaking, every religious duty has been neglected and 
probably none more so than reading the 3ible, consequently dearth 
prevails over the whole mind. 

If I am not permitted to see my dear parents here, I hope I 
shall hear from them often. I love to have them both write; when 
they receive this, they will know how to pray for us, and will I 
trust most fervently. 

From your most affectionate child, 

Narcissa. 
Hon. Stephen Prentiss, 

Cuba, Allegheny Co., 

New York. 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 79 



Waiii.aTpu, April 13th, 1846. 

My Dear Harriet: — 1 believe I have not written you since the 
Lord brought this orphan family under our care. How could I, 
for I have been so unwell and had this increase of care upon my 
mind, that I have written to no one in the States, as I recollect. 
I find the labor greater in doing for so many, especially in in- 
structing them — where they come in all at once — than if they 
had come along by degrees and had received a start in their edu- 
cation, one before the other; whereas all their minds appear to be 
alike uninstructed, especially in the great truths of Christianity. 

I would like to know how you and Clarissa get along in un- 
folding the minds of your little ones. I hope you both feel that 
the immortal part is of the greatest moment in all your strivings 
for them, and to educate the physical in such a way as to give the 
immortal part the utmost vigor and energy possible. 

I used to think mother was the best hand to take care of babies 
I ever saw.but I believe, or we have the vanity to think, we have 
improved upon her plan. That you may see how we manage with 
our children, I will give you a specimen of our habits with them 
and we feel them important, too, especially that they may grow 
up healthy and strong. Take my baby, as an example: in Octo- 
ber, 1844, she arrived here in the hands of an old filthy woman, 
sick, emaciated and but just alive. She was born some where on 
the Platte river in the first part of the journey, on the last da}' of 
May. Her mother died on the 25th of September. She was five 
months old when she was brought here — had suffered for the want 
of proper nourishment until she was nearly starved. The old 
woman did the best she could, but she was in distressed circum- 
stances herself, and a wicked, disobedient family around her to 
see to. 

Husband thought we could get along with all but the baby — 
he did not see how we could take that; but I felt that if I must 
take any, I wanted her as a charm to bind the rest to me. So we 



80 TWENTIETH ANNUAL REUNION 

took her, a poor, distressed little object, not larger than a babe 
three weeks old. Had she been taken past at this late season, 
death would have been her portion, and that in a few days. The 
first thing I did for her was to give her some milk and put her in 
the cradle. She drank a gill, she was so hungry, but soon cleared 
herself of it by vomiting and purging. I next had a pail of warm 
water and put her in it, gave her a thorough cleansing with soap 
and water, and put on some clean clothes; — put her in the cradle 
and she had a fine nap. This I followed every day, washing her 
thoroughly in tepid water, about the middle of the forenoon. 

She soon began to mend, but I was obliged to reduce her milk 
with a little water, as her stomach was so weak she could not 
bear it in its full strength. 

Now I suppose you think such a child would be very trouble- 
some nights, but it was not so with her; we put her in the cradle 
and she slept until morning without waking us more than once, 
and that only for a few of the first nights. Her habits of eating 
and sleeping were as regular as clock-work. She had a little gill 
cup which we fed her in; she would take that full every meal, and 
when done would want no more for a long time. Thus I contin- 
ued, giving her nothing else but milk, she only required the more 
until her measure became half a pint. In consequence of the 
derangement of her digestive powers, which did not recover their 
healthy tone, she had a day of sickness some time in Dec. when 
we gave her a little oil and calomel; this restored her completely, 
and since that time, and even before, she has nothing to do but to 
grow, and that as fast as possible; she is as large or larger than her 
next older sister Louisa was when she came here, thennearly three 
years old. She now lacks a month and a half of being two years 
old. She is strong, healthy, fleshy, heavy, runs any where she is 
permitted, talks everything nearly, is full of mischief if I am out 
of the room. She is energetic and active enough, and has a dis- 
position to have her own way, especially with the children, if she 
is not prevented. 

She contended sharply for the mastery with her mother before 
she was a year old, but she, of course, had to submit. Since then 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 8 1 

she has been very obedient, but frequently tries the point to see 
if her parents are steadfast and uniform in their requirements or 
not. She will obey very well in sight, but loves to get out of 
sight for the purpose of doing as she pleases. She sings a little, 
but not nearly as much as Alice C. did when she was of her age. 
Thus much for my baby, Henrietta Naomi Sager. She had 
another name when she came here, but the children were anxious 
to call her after her parents. Her father's name was Henry and 
her mother's was Naomi — we put them together. 

What I call an improvement upon mother's plan is the daily 
bathing of children. I take a child as soon as it is born and put 
it in a washbowl of water and give it a thorough washing with 
soap. I do this the next day and the next, and so on every day as 
long as the washbowl will hold it; when it will not, then I get a 
tub or something larger, and continue to do it until the child is 
able to be carried to the river or to go itself. Every one of my 
girls go to the river all summer long for bathing every day before 
dinner, and they love it so well that they would as soon do with- 
out their dinner as without that. In the winter we bathe in a 
tub once a week at the least. This is our practice as well as the 
children. I do not know but these are your habits, but if they 
are not, I should like to have you try them just to see the benefit 
-of them. I never gave Henrietta any food but milk until she 
was nearly a year-and-a-half old. She never wanted anything 
else. I avoid as much as possible giving my children candies, 
sweetmeats, etc., such as many parents allow their children to in- 
dulge in almost all the while; neither do I permit them to eat 
cakes and pies very often. 

It is well to study these things with regard to our children, 
for it saves many a doctor bill; and another thing with our chil- 
dren, we never give medicine if we can help it. If children com- 
plain of the headache, or are sick at the stomach, send them to 
bed without their supper or other meals; they are sure to get up 
very soon feeling as well as ever. 

My husband says many times when a physician is called to 
see a patient he finds nothing ails him but eating too much. If 



82 TWENTIETH ANNUAL REUNION 

he is told this he will be offended, so he is obliged to give him 
something, when all he needs is to do without a meal or two and 
to fast a day or two and drink water gruel. 

Doubtless you will think this a strange letter, Harriet, but 
you must take it for what is worth and make the best of it. 

We sleep out of doors in the summer a good deal — the boys 
all summer. This is a fine, healthy climate. I wish you were 
here to enjoy it with me, and pa and ma, too. We have as happy 
a family as the world affords. I do not wish to be in a better sit- 
uation than this. 

I never hear as much as I wish about Stephen's children. I 
should think Nancy Jane might write her aunt now — tell me 
something about them. 

O, how I wish you were all here. I could find work enough 
for you all to do; and every winter we have a good school, so 
that our children are learning as fast as most children in the 
States. 

Harriet, I do want you and that good husband of yours to come 
here and bring pa and ma. I know you will like it after you get 
here, if you do not like the journey. There are many of the last 
immigration that came without their families, that are now go-, 
ing back to bring them as quick as possible, and are only sorry 
they did not bring them last year. Bring as many girls as you 
can, but let every young man bring a wife, for he will want one 
after he gets here, if he never did before. Girls are in good 
demand for wives. I hope Edward and Jane will come. I have 
written to them to come. Judson wants to come, too. I hope he 
will, and many other Christians. Where is Jonas G.? Why does 
he not come? Poor man, I never can think of him without sorrow. 

Love to all, and a kiss for all those little ones. 

Narcissa. 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 83 



TSHIMAKAIN, April 22, 1846. 

Miss Prentiss: — An apology is due in my attempting to write 
to you, being an entire stranger, although I feel almost as though 
I had been well acquainted with you for years, having become so 
much attached to Mrs. Whitman. 

Some days before I left Dr. Whitman's for this place, Mrs 
Whitman was speaking of having a great number of letters to 
write to the States, and in her pleasant way wished to know if I 
would not write some for her. To which I replied, I would rather 
engage her to write for me, as she could do it so much better; but 
said, finally, that I would write one to any of her friends, if she 
would do the same for me. 

To this she agreed and gave me your name. I desired her to 
write to my mother, who is living near Monmouth, Warren county, 
Illinois, where I have been living for the last ten years before the 
spriug of '45, at which time I left home with the desire of seeing 
the far West. 

As I learned from Mrs. Whitman that you and your brother 
had some thought of coming to this country, you will doubtless 
feel more or less interested in some of the difficulties and trials 
that one has to encounter on the way. One of the greatest trials 
that a religious mind has to encounter on the way is the com- 
pany one is often compelled to travel with. There is no place 
where one can better see all the varieties of civilized life than 
here. You can see from the highest to the lowest grade. You 
may see all these at home, it is true, but you can't see them all 
brought so closely together, and under so many vicissitudes of 
life as have to be passed through on the way — hunger and thirst 
and fatigue, cold and wet weather. Now you have bad roads and 
no grass for your cattle; now, perhaps, some one will tell you there 
is much danger from Indians. After traveling all day through 
dust that is almost insupportable, you will come into camp at 9 
or 10 o'clock at night and feel almost as though you did not care 



84 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

whether scalped before morning or not. And to make the trouble 
greater the cattle have almost nothing to eat, and may be you 
have no water within a mile, and perhaps no wood. Under such 
circumstances who is there among the sons of men that would 
not be likely to feel somewhat peevish, so much so that almost 
anything would throw him off his balance, and be likely to go 
beyond the bounds of propriety. Sure I am that nothing but 
"much of the mind of Christ," will support one under such trials. 
You must not think that the whole journey is just such as I have 
described. By no means. I have given you about as dark a picture 
as is likely to be met with on the^road. But I must confess that 
I endured more fatigue during the six months we were on the 
way than I had ever before undergone in the same length of time. 
No one need think that it is like traveling in the stage or on the 
steamboat; yet one is not often vexed with high prices, nor 
are they in danger of being robbed as they are on steamboat. 

One is not very likely to spend a great deal by the way, with- 
out ha does it in gambling, which he may do here as well as any 
where if he wishes, as it is almost always the case that some one 
was thoughtful enough to bring a deck of cards with him; and 
if they have none of them, they bet on the distance to some hill, 
or on the distance traveled during the day, or that my oxen can 
draw more than yours. 

Another trial that one has often to meet on the way is disre- 
gard for the Sabbath. I suppose there was about as much conten- 
tion arose on that subject in the company in which I came as 
any another. A good part of the company cared nothing about 
that, or any other religious question, and if it suited them they 
wished to travel on that day as well as any other. And even when 
they did stop on that day it was only to mend their wagons, or 
wash their clothes. I do not say that all did so, for there were 
some of the company that were devotedly pious. There were 
three ministers in the company, one a Seceder minister from 
about Burlington. The other two were Baptist ministers, one 
from Iowa, the other from Rock Island county, 111., whose name 
was Fisher, and who was formerly of Quincy, and is doubtless well 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 85 

known there. He manifested more of the true spirit of Christ 
while on the road than any other man with whom I was ac- 
quainted. Sometimes one is compelled to travel on the Sabbath, 
even if the company were willing to stop, as it happens that pas- 
ture cannot be found insufficient quantities, though this does not 
often occur, but it is often made a plea for traveling on that 
day when there would be plenty if they wished to stop to hunt 
buffalo. The company in which I came, traveled, may be, half 
the Sabbaths on the way. We had preaching most of the days 
on which we stopped. But I am dwelling too long on this subject, 
perhaps. 

I desire to say to you, if you have any influence with respect 
to this country, I hope you will use it in endeavoring to have it set- 
tled with pious Yankees. Although not one myself, yet, as west- 
ern people say, " I have a mighty liking to them." I do hope that 
it may be another New England, and I would to God that the 
mothers of this country could only be from Yankee land. Per- 
haps I have said more than I ought, but such are the sentiments 
of my heart, and I have ventured to express them. Let me but 
have the choice of the mothers of any country, and I will feel well 
satisfied as to the destiny of that country, either as to its moral, 
literary or civil aspect. But ^the moral prospect of this coun- 
try is not very encouraging at this time. The " man of sin" ap- 
pears to be making considerable progress in the lower settlements. 
One thing that makes much in his favor is, he has the influence 
of the H. B. Company ; though it is to be hoped that God will 
thwart his plans, and that He will "overturn, overturn till He come 
whose right it is to reign." "Till the stone cut out of the moun- 
tain shall fill up the whole earth." May God hasten it in His day, 
is my earnest desire and prayer. 

It may be interesting to you to know any one with whom I 
have been formerly acquainted. Mr. Bacon used to be my precep- 
tor in music, whom I suppose you have often seen. I would like 
much to be remembered to him, if he is living there. 

I have, perhaps, said more now than you will think worth 
sending more than two thousand miles, but I must say in conclu- 



86 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

slon, that Dr. and Mrs. Whitman seem very near to me. It ap- 
peared almost like parting with my mother when I left there to 
come to this place (which you will find marked on the map of 
Oregon in the November number of the Missionary Herald.) I 
have spent many very pleasant hours in her company and hope 
to spend more ere life closes. 

Should you ever receive this, a letter as long as you wish to 
write would be most acceptable. News from the States is always 
scarce at Tshimakain and Waiilatpu. 

Your true friend, 

Andrew Rogers, Jr. 
Miss Jane A. Prentiss, 

Quincy, Adams Co., 

Illinois, U. S. A. 



Waiilatpu, Sept. nth, 1846. 

Mr. Harvey P. Prentiss, Mrs. Livonia L Prentiss, My Dear 
Brother and Sister: — It is but a few days since I received that 
good family letter bearing date of March, 1836, [1846?]. Since 
that time my mind has been much upon you for this reason: I 
hear you are removing to the South for the sake of a warmer cli- 
mate. I had much rather you would come this way, and have been 
studying ever since to see if I could not induce you to come. There 
are many reasons why we wish you to come, but my time is so 
limited that I can give you but a few of them now. I shall write 
again this fall to some or all of you, if permitted. We wish you 
were here to assist us in our work; we have more than we can do> 
and if you were here now we could give you both labor and sup- 
port and would be glad to do it. I know you would like this 
mild and healthy climate better than the one where you have 
gone, at least we think so. Take the map, if you please, and just 
look at our situation on this Western coast. The Sandwich Is- 
lands and China are our next door neighbors. I see I cannot en- 



TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 87 

large upon this subject. I was going to speak of the facilities for 
acquiring competency, if not wealth, in this country, but my 
time will not permit. 

A little reflection will show you what I wish to say and I 
hope induce you to come. If you will only manage to get here, 
we are here to assist you all you need to get a start, if you should 
not wish to continue with us. Do not be anxious for your chil- 
dren ; here is a good place for them to do well for themselves, both 
as to education and getting a living. We have a good English 
school here every winter and eventually intend to have an acad- 
emy or college. Do come. I say this with all my heart. You 
will find the journey a trying one, but there is no difficulty in 
getting here. A good wagon with an ox team, and cows to change 
with, will in time bring you here, and then I wish you would 
bring Jane. I want her here very much as a teacher*, and Edward, 
too. If you come they will come, I have no doubt, for last year 
they wrote us proposing to come if we wanted them. The Board 
had rather we would employ a farmer than appoint one and send 
to us. We expect the line will be settled with England soon, if 
it is not already, and that the United States will extend her juris- 
diction over us; when that is done, we expect there will be a flood 
of emigrants rolling this way. For three years past there has 
been large companies of from 500 to 700 wagons each year to Ore- 
gon and California. 

Brother Kinny says he would come to Oregon, if he had no 
wife. Please tell him he is in a much better situation for coming to 
Oregon as a settler than if he had none, for nothing makes bach- 
elors feel so much like getting a wife as to come here and find 
none to be had. Many are often disposed to degrade themselves 
enough to take a native. 

I see Congress is talking about starting a mail across the 
mountains. When that is accomplished, I shall hope to hear from 
home friends oftener and more regular. Mother thinks if she 
should come here she would be afraid of the Indians. It might 
be, yet I think she would soon get over it. They never were more 
quiet and peaceable than now, and appear to be getting more so. 



88 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

We feel that your going to Virginia will not be in trie way of your 
coming, for we think you will be more likely to come here, for hav- 
ing come thus far. I hope you will write us and tell us all about 
it. As I know not where to direct this letter, I shall send it to 
father to have him forward it. I have written this in great 
haste, for the Indian post is waiting to take this, with many other 
letters, to Walla Walla, where the boats will leave to-morrow 
morning. 

My health is quite good for me. All of the family are well; 
indeed, we have no sickness at all in the family scarcely, although 
the orphan family, before they came here, were quite subject to 
sickness. 

Please give our united love to all our dear friends, and be- 
lieve me 

Affectionately your sister, 

Narcissa Whitman. 

Hon. Stephen Prentiss, 

Cuba, Alleghany Co., 

New York. 



Waiilatpu, Oregon Territory, \ 
Nov. 3rd, 1846. / 

Mrs. Clarissa Prentiss, Honored and Beloved Mother:- -It is with 
indescribable pleasure I received and perused those excellent lines,, 
penned by that hand that has been so much of my life devoted 
to my comfort, and dictated by that heart that has so often 
beat with emotion for my good, too deep for utterance. It really 
seemed as if the very fountains of my heart were broken up and 
my whole soul was filled with emotions indescribable. O, my 
mother, my dear mother, and father! How I love to dwell upon 
these blessed sounds. Do I love these dear ones less, as I grow in 
years and as separation widens? Surely not. Yea, my heart clings 
to them with an undying grasp; and I bless God that we have 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 89 

the assurance that this union is not to end in this life, but will 
exist, yea, and increase, too, through an unending eternity. 

It was but a few mornings ago that I was reading mother's 
letter to the children, and husband was sitting by. Afterwards I 
handed it to him, and looking at it, he said (the tears filling his 
eyes), " Mother writes well for one that writes so seldom;" said he 
"she writes better than any of her daughters." And so I think, 
too. I hope mother will be encouraged, when she finds her letters 
so acceptable and doing so much good, to write oftener, at least 
once a year, if not twice. 

I have not yet received father's promised letter; it may be it 
failed to be in time for the opportunity of a transport across the 
mountains. Mother's, dated March 26th, 1846, was sent from Bos- 
ton to Westport and reached me in about five months after it was 
mailed. This brings me very near home. Indeed, it is the first I 
have received since those sent by husband. It would be well to 
send everything direct to Westport, to the care of Boone & Ham- 
ilton, and in the summer and fall to Boston, and they will be 
most sure to reach us. There is a prospect of a monthly mail to 
be established soon from St. Louis to Oregon — so we judge from 
movements in Congress; when that is accomplished a new era 
will commence in our western world and a happy one, too, to us, 
if our friends will write us ot'ten. 

Since writing the above we have been assembled for our Tues- 
day evening concert, established more than seven years ago by 
■the two Missions, to pray for the cause of Christ in Oregon. We 
have evidence to believe that this concert of prayer has been 
greatly blessed to us, and this infant country. We feel that God 
has heard prayer, for many precious souls give evidence of having 
passed from death to life, some among the Indians and many 
more among our own countrymen. The standard of piety and 
morals in the Willamette is good for so new a country. Many 
pious people and professing Christians have found their way 
here, and many ministers of different denominations; yet there 
is a want of able ones. Mother asks what sort of people come to 
this country. There are very many intelligent and excellent peo- 



90 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUM, REUNION 

pie, and also many others who are lawless and ignorant. It would 
be well for the Home Missionary Society, in her benevolence, to 
look this way, for this country is destined to exert an influence 
that will be felt the world over. The Papists are at work with 
all their might to get the control of the country, and have been 
ever since we have been here, nearly. We hope they will not 
succeed. Protestants need to be up and doing in order to save 
this the only spot of the whole western coast of North America 
from their iron grasp. God grant we may. For this purpose we 
need more active Christians, teachers, and ministers to come to 
this country from the East, and my dear father will, I hope, use 
all his powers in persuading such to come. I cannot bear the 
thought that my brothers and their families should go to Virginia 
to settle. Why will they not come here? It is both warm and 
healthy. Here they would be exerting an influence that would 
be felt for good, and here they would make a comfortable living 
without so much hard labor. I have written to Brother H. urging 
him to come here. We want him to help us very much. I hope 
he will get the letter. Brothers H. and C. I think would like the 
country, if once here. His being a married man is no objection, 
but rather a good reason why he should come, for with his family 
here, he would be worth something to the country. O, how I 
have desired, and still desire, to have Jane and Edward come as 
teachers. The Lord grant that they may, and that soon, too. I 
could wish that the Prattsburg colony might be turned this way, 
instead of going to Virginia. They are much needed here, and 
in the end would be much better satisfied, we have no doubt. I 
would ask father to come, but mother says she would be afraid of 
the Indians. I have a widow lady in my family who came over 
this fall that is fifty-seven years old. She is an excellent woman, 
so kind and motherly. She makes me think of my own dear 
mother every day, and what it would be to have her here. 

Mother wishes me to write about my children. I wrote last 
spring very fully about them all, and if I had room I might 
again say much more. 

We have a good school taught by Mr. Geiger, son of Deacon 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 9 1 

Geiger, formerly of Angelica. He is an excellent young man and 
superior teacher — children all happy and learning fast.. Brother 
Spalding's two eldest board here and go to school, and we are 
expecting three from Brother Walker's. We set the table fr>r 
more than twenty every day three times, and it is a pleasing 
sight. Mr. G. serves the children. Mr. Rogers, the young man 
that taught last winter, is still with us studying for the ministry. 
He is a good young man and his Christian society affords me 
much comfort. He is an excellent singer and has taught the 
children to sing admirably. When they came here not one of 
them could make even a noise towards singing; now they consti- 
tute quite a heavy choir. None of them could read except the 
three eldest very poorly; now they are quite good scholars and are 
making good progress. 

Six families of immigrants winter with us, and some young 
men. Three of them are at the saw-mill twenty miles from here. 
The children of the three families that remain here go to school; 
when the}- arrived here, several were quite sick; one woman re- 
mains so still, having been afflicted with the inflammation of the 
lungs. 

Last Saturday, Marcus was called to attend a woman at the 
mill at the birth of a son. We find it quite agreeable to have 
neighbors to winter with us, but this may be the last, as a good 
southern route is now open into the head waters of the Willam- 
ette, and all will wish, probably, to go that way, as it will be 
much nearer and better. 

I must tell mother of a luxury we enjoy very much, and one 
that has a tendency to make us very cheerful and happy. For me 
it has done much toward restoring my health to be so much bet- * 
ter than it has been for several years. It is daily cold bathing. 
Our students and teachers go out every morning, winter and sum- « 
mer and jump into the river. Husband does it frequently, but 
not so regular, on account of his business. The children all de- 
light in it. Both would be glad to, all winter, if we had conven- 
iences. In the summer I go with them to the river, and now 
when it is warm enough, and when it is cold we take ihe tub in 



92 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

the house. I know father would like to live here on that account, 
and he would enjoy it so much, too, as some of our folks do. The 
climate is so mild and exhilarating. Husband is doing all he can 
to induce friends to come. He has written to Father Hotchkiss 
inviting him, and requested him to copy and send the letter to 
father, and many others. 

I see I must soon stop for the want of room. The children all 
send their love to their grandparents, and aunts and uncles; some 
of them will be able to write soon to some of you. 

I have spoken of many things and subjects, but one still re- 
mains about which I should like to write, and that is the other 
half of self. I wish mother was more acquainted with him; he is 
all benevolence, has amazing energy of thought and action, 
nothing is too hard or impossible for him to do, that can be done. 
I often think he cannot last always; indeed, his strength is not 
what it used to be, although his health is quite good. 

We try to do good to our neighbors that winter with us. I 
hold a prayer meeting with the females on Wednesday, which is 
precious to us. Thursday evening is the children's meeting, which I 
superintend, also. Saturday evening, Mr. Rogers has a Bible class, 
in which the children bring forth the text of Scripture they have 
selected on a given subject. Last week it was " Prayer"; the pres- 
ent week it is the "Sabbath." Besides this, the children commit a 
verse a day which is got in the morning as their first lesson to be 
recited in Sabbath school. 

By this mother will see that both my hands and heart are 
usefully employed, not so much for the Indians directly, as 
my own family. When my health failed, I was obliged to with- 
hold my efforts for the natives, but the Lord has since filled my 
hands with other labors, and I have no reason to complain; when 
I am not overburdened with work and care, I am happy and 
cheerful, but as I many times am straitened with more than I 
can do and no one to assist but my children, I become fretful and 
impatient. I am most happily provided for now. I have a good 
girl in the kitchen, and the old lady, which relieves me a great 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 93 

deal; and Mr. Geiger is such a good governor and teacher, that 
the children give me little, if any, trouble as to that part. Of 
course I take the place of moderator out of school. We pay the 
girl one dollar and a half a week; the widow is a boarder, but 
does a great deal in keeping things straight in the kitchen; do 
not charge her for her board. 

If this goes from the Islands to Panama and across the Isthmus, 
mother will receive it in a short time; if otherwise, it may be 
some time before it will reach home, if it ever does. I would be 
glad to speak of the Indians, but one sheet is too small to contain 
all. I would be glad to say to my dear parents, the Indians are 
kind and quiet and very much attached to us, none the less so 
for having so many children about us. Many that were on the 
stage when we came here, are dead and new ones have taken their 
places. And as husband has just written to our Board, he says 
he never has felt more contented and that he was usefully em- 
ployed than for the last year and the present. May the Lord in- 
cline the hearts of my dear parents and friends to pray especially 
for us this winter that He would send His Spirit urging us that 
new souls may be born into His kingdom. 

We send much love to all our relatives and friends. 

Ever your dutiful and affectionate daughter, 

Narcissa. 
Mrs. Clarissa Prentiss, 

Cuba, Allegheny Co., 

New York, U. S. A. 



Oregon City, April 6, 1848. 

To Stephen Prentiss, Esq., and Mrs. Prentiss, the Father and 
Mother of the late Mrs. Whitman of the Oregon Mission — My Dear 
Father and Mother in Christ : — Through the wonderful interposi- 
tion of God in delivering me from the hand of the murderer, it 
has become my painful duty to apprise you of the death of your 
beloved daughter, Narcissa, and her worthy and appreciated hus- 



94 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

band, your honored son-in-law, Dr. Whitman, both my own en- 
tirely devoted, ever faithful and eminently useful associates in the 
work of Christ. They were inhumanly butchered by their own, 
up to the last moment, beloved Indians, for whom their warm 
Christian hearts had prayed for eleven years, and their unwearied 
hands had administered to their every want in sickness and in 
distress, and had bestowed unnumbered blessings ; who claimed 
to be, and were considered, in a high state of civilization and 
Christianity. Some of them were members of our church; others 
candidates for admission; some of them adherents of the Catho- 
lic church — all praying Indians. They were, doubtless, urged on 
to the dreadful deed by foreign influences, which we have felt 
coming in upon us like a devastating flood for the last three or 
four years; and we have begged the authors, with tears in our 
eyes, to desist, not so much on account of our own lives and pro- 
perty, but for the sake of those coming, and the safety of those al- 
ready in the country. But the authors thought none would be in- 
jured but the hated missionaries — the devoted heretics, and the 
work of hell was urged on, and has ended, not only in the death 
of three missionaries, the ruin of our mission, but in a bloody 
war with the settlements, which may end in the massacre of 
every family. 

God alone can save us. I must refer you to the Herald for 
my views as to the direct and remote causes which have conspired 
to bring about the terrible calamity. I cannot write all to every 
one, having a large family to care for; Mrs. Spalding is suffering 
from the dreadful exposure during the flight and since we have 
been this country— destitute of almost every thing, no dwelling 
place as yet, food and raiment to be found, many, many afflicted 
friends to be informed, my own soul bleeding from many wounds; 
my dear sister, Narcissa, with whom I have grown up as a child 
of the same family, with whom I have labored so long and so in- 
timately in the work of teaching the Indians, and my beloved 
Dr. Whitman, with whom I have for so many years kneeled in 
praying, taking sweet connsel, have been murdered, and their 
bones scattered upon the plains — the labors and hopes of many 
years in an hour at an end, the house of the Lord, the mission 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 95 

house, burned, and its walls demolished, the property of the Lord 
to the amount of thousands of dollars, in the hands of the rob- 
bers, a once large and happy family reduced to a few helpless 
children, made orphans a second time, to be separated and com- 
pelled to find homes among strangers; our fears for our dear 
brothers Walker and Eells of the most alarming character ; our 
infant settlements involved in a bloody war with, hostile Indians 
and on the brink of ruin — all, all, chill my blood and fetter my 
hands. 

The massacre took place on the fatal 29th of November last, } ^ 
commencing at half past one. Fourteen persons were mur- 
dered first and last. Nine men the first day. Five men es- 
caped from the Station, three in a most wonderful manner, one 
of whom was the trembling writer, with whom I know you will 
unite in praising God for delivering even one. The names and 
places of the slain are as follows: The two precious names already 
given, my hand refuses to write them again. Mr. Rogers, young 
man, teacher of our Mission school in winter of '46; since then 
has been aiding us in our mission work and studying for the 
ministry, with a view to be ordained and join our Mission; John 
and Francis Sager, the two eldest of the orphan family, ages 17 
and 15; Mr. Kimball of Laporte, Indiana, killed second day, left a 
widow and five children; Mr. Saunders of Oskaloosa, Iowa, left a 
widow and five children; Mr. Hall of Missouri, escaped to Fort 
Walla Walla, was refused protection, put over the Columbia river, 
killed by the Walla Wallas, left a widow and five children; Mr. 
Marsh of Missouri, left a son grown and young daughter; Mr. 
Hoffman of Elmira, New York; Mr. Gillan of Oskaloosa, Iowa; 
Mr. Sails of latter place; Mr. Bewley of Missouri. Two last 
dragged from sick beds eight days after the first massacre and 
butchered; Mr. Young, killed second day. Last five were un- 
married men. Forty woman and children fell captives into the 
hands of the murderers, among them my own beloved daughter, 
Eliza, ten years old. Three of the captive children soon died, left 
without parental care, tw'o of them your dear Narcissa's, once a 
widow woman's. The young women were dragged from the 
house by night and beastly treated. Three of them became wives 



96 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

to the murderers. One, the daughter of Mrs. Kimball, became 
the wife of him who killed her father — often told her of it. One, 
Miss Bewley, was taken twenty miles to the Utilla and became 
the wife of Hezekiah.a principal chief and member of our church 
who, up till that time, had exhibited a good character. Eight 
days after the first butchery, the two families at the saw-mill,, 
twenty miles distant, were brought down and the men spared to 
do work for the Indians. This increased the number of the cap- 
tives to forty-seven, after the three children died. In various 
ways they were cruelly treated and compelled to cook and work 
late and early for the Indians. 

As soon as Mrs. Spalding heard of my probable death and the 
captivity of Eliza, she sent two Indians (Nez Perces) to effect her 
deliverance, if possible. The murderers refused to give her up 
until they knew whether I was alive, as I had escaped their hands, 
and whether the Americans would come up to avenge the death of 
their countrymen. Should the Americans show themselves, every 
woman and child should be butchered. The two sick men had 
just been beaten and cut to pieces before the eyes of the help- 
less children and women, their blood spilled upon the floor, and 
their mangled bodies lay at the door for forty-eight hours, over 
which the captives were compelled to pass for wood and water. 

Eliza says when she heard the heavy blows and heard dying 
groans, she stopped her ears. Such was and such had been for 
several days the situation of Eliza, when the two Nez Perces, par- 
ticular friends to our children, told Eliza they must return with- 
out her. The murderers would not give her up. She had given 
up her father as dead, but her mother was alive and up to this 
hour she hoped to reach her bosom, but now this hope went out, 
and she began to pine. Besides, she was the only one left who 
understood the language, and was called up at all hours of the 
night and kept out for hours in the cold and wet, with almost 
no clothing left by the hand of the robbers, to interpret for whites 
and Indians, till she was not able to stand upon her feet, and 
then they beset her lying upon the floor — bed she had none — 
till her voice failed from weakness. 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 97 

I had reached home before the Indians who went for her re- 
turned, and shared with my wife the anguish of seeing the Indians 
return without our child. Had she been dead, we could have giv- 
en her up; but to have a living child a captive in the hands of 
Indians whose hands were stained with the blood of our slain 
friends, and not able to deliver her, was the sharpest dagger that 
ever entered my soul. Suffice it to say, we found our daughter at 
Fort Walla Walla with the ransomed captives, too weak to stand, 
a mere skeleton, her mind as much injured as her health. Through 
the astonishing goodness of God she has regained her health and 
strength, and her mind has resumed its usual tone. 

The captives were delivered by the prompt interposition and 
judicious management of Mr. Odgen, Chief Factor of the H. H. B. 
Co., to whom too much praise cannot be awarded. He arrived at 
Walla Walla Dec. 12th. In about two weeks he succeeded in 
ransoming all the captives for blankets, shirts, guns, ammuni- 
tion, tobacco, to the amount of some five hundred dollars. They 
were brought into the fort on Dec. 30th. Myself and those with 
me arrived on the first of January. Oh, what a meeting — remnants 
of once large and happy families; but our tears of grief were 
mingled with tears of joy. We had not dared to hope that de- 
liverance could come so soon and so complete. 

For some time previous to the massacre the measles, followed 
by the dysentery, had been raging in the country. The families 
at Waiilatpu had been great sufferers. I arrived at Waiilatpu the 
22nd of November; eight days before the dreadful deed. All the 
.doctor's family had been sick, but were recovering; three of the 
children were yet dangerously sick; besides Mr. Osborn, with his 
sick family, were in the same house. Mrs. Osborn and three chil- 
dren were dangerous; one of their children died during the week. 
A young man, Mr. Bewley, was also very sick. The doctor's hands 
were more than full among the Indians; three and sometimes 
five died in a day. Dear sister Whitman seemed ready to sink 
under the immense weight of labor and care. But like an angel 
of mercy, she continued to administer with her ever-ready hand 
to the wants of all. Late and early, night and day, she was by 



98 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

the bed of the sick, the dying, and the afflicted. During the week, 
I enjoyed several precious seasons with her. She was the same 
devoted servant of the L/Ord she was when we enjoyed like prec- 
ious seasons in our beloved Prattsburg many years ago, ready 
to live or die for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Saturday 
the Indians from the Utilla, sent for the doctor to visit their sick. 
He wished me to accompany him. We started late, rode in a 
heavy rain through the night, arrived in the morning. The doc- 
tor attended upon the sick, and returned on the Sabbath on 
account of the dangerous sickness in his family. I remained till 
Wednesday. Monday morning the doctor assisted in burying an 
Indian; returned to the house and was reading- -several Indians, 
as usual were in the house; one sat down by him to attract his 
attention by asking for medicine; another came behind him with 
tomahawk concealed under his blanket and with two blows in 
the back of the head, brought him to the floor senseless, probably, 
but not lifeless; soon after Telaukaikt, a candidate for admission 
in our church, and who was receiving unnumbered favors every 
day from brother and sister Whitman, came in and took particu- 
lar pains to cut and beat his face and cut his throat; but he still 
lingered till near night. As soon as the firing commenced at the 
different places, Mrs. Hayes ran in and assisted sister Whitman 
in taking the doctor from the kitchen to the sitting-room and 
placed him upon the settee. This was before his face was cut. 
His dear wife bent over him and mingled her flowing tears with 
his precious blood. It was all she could do. They were her last 
tears. To whatever she said, he would reply "no" in a whisper, 
probably not sensible. John Sager was sitting by the doctor 
when he received the first blow, drew his pistol, but his arm was 
seized, the room filling with Indians, and his head was cut to 
pieces. He lingered till near night. Mr. Rogers, attacked at the 
water, escaped with a broken arm and wound in the head, and 
rushing into the house, shut the door. The Indians seemed to 
have left the house now to assist in murdering others. Mr. Kim- 
ball, with a broken arm rushed in; both secreted themselves up- 
stairs. Sister Whitman in anguish, now bending over her dying 
husband and now over the sick; now comforting the flying, scream- 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 99 

ing children, was passing by the window, when she received the 
first shot in her right breast, and fell to the floor. She immedi- 
ately arose and kneeled by the settee on which lay her bleeding 
husband, and in humble prayer commended her soul to God and 
prayed for her dear children who were about to be made a second 
time orphans and to fall into the hands of her direct murderers. 
I am certain she prayed for her murderers, too. She now went into 
the chamber with Mrs. Hayes, Miss Bewley, Catharine, and the 
sick children. They remained till near night. In the meantime 
the doors and windows were broken in and the Indians entered 
and commenced plundering, but they feared to go into the cham- 
ber. They called for sister Whitman and brother Rogers to come 
down and promised they should not be hurt. This promise was 
often repeated, and they came down. Your dear Narcissa, faint 
with the loss of blood, was carried on a settee to the door by 
brother Rogers and Miss Bewle}'. Every corner of the room was 
crowded with Indians having their guns ready to fire. The chil- 
dren had been brought down and huddled together to be shot. 
Eliza was one. Here they had stood for a long time surrounded 
by guns pointing at their breasts. She often heard the cry "Shall 
we shoot?" and her blood became cold, she says, and she fell upon 
the floor. But now the order was given, "Do not shoot the chil- 
dren," as the settee passed through the children over the bleeding, 
dying body of John. Fatal moment! The settee advanced about 
its length from the door, when the guns were discharged from 
without and within, the powder actually burning the faces of the 
children. Brother Rogers raised his hand and cried, "my God," 
and fell upon his face, pierced with many balls. But he fell not 
alone. An equal number of the deadly weapons were leveled at the 
settee and, oh ! that this discharge had been deadlly. But oh ! Father 
of Mercy, so it seemed good in thy sight. She groaned, she lingered. 
The settee was rudely upset. — Oh, what have I done? Can the 
aged mother read and live? Think of Jesus in the hands of the 
cruel Jews. I thought to withhold the worst facts, but then they 
would go to you from other sources, and the uncertainty would 
be worse than the reality. Pardon me, if I have erred. 

Francis at the same time was dragged from the children and 



IOO OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

shot; all three now lay upon the ground, groaning, struggling, dy- 
ing. As they groaned, the Indians beat them with their whips and 
clubs, and tried to force their horses over them. Darkness dis- 
persed the Indians, but the groans of the dying continued till in 
night. Brother Rogers seemed to linger the longest. A short 
time before Mr. Osborn and family left the hiding place, he was 
heard to say in a faint voice, "Lord Jesus, come quickly," and all 
was silent. The next morning they were seen to be dead, by the 
children. But what a sight for those dear lambs — made a second 
time fatherless, motherless; and my dear Eliza stood with them, 
but she covered her face with her hands — she says she could not 
look upon her dear Mrs. Whitman, always like a mother to her. 
The dead bodies were not allowed to be removed till Wednesday 
morning, when they were gathered together. Eliza and some of 
the other girls sewed sheets around them,'a large pit was dug by a 
Frenchman and some friendly Indians, and they were buried to- 
gether, but so slightly that when the army arrived at the station, 
they found that the wolves had dug them all up, eaten their flesh, 
and scattered their bones upon the plains. "O God, the heathen 
are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled 
The bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the 
fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the 
earth. Their blood have they shed like water round about Jeru- 
salem; and there was none to bury them. Help us, O God of our 
Salvation, for the Glory of thy name." 

Some hair from the sacred head of your dearest daughter was 
found by the army, I believe rolled in a piece of paper, doubt- 
less cut and put away by her own hand some two 3^ears ago. A 
lock was obtained by Dr. Wilcox of East Bloomfield, New York, 
which was handed to me the other day. With great satisfaction I 
send it to her deeply afflicted father and mother. Precious relic! 

And now, shall I attempt to sooth your bleeding hearts? It 
would be like one drowning man stretching out his hand to 
hold up another. I, myself, am in the deepest waters of afflic- 
tion. My dear brother and sister Whitman no more; their mis- 
sion house demolished; myself and family driven from our first 



TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION IOI 

own home, and the little church which we had been gathered 
around; our brothers, Walker and Eells, perhaps, slain and their 
wives and children captives in the hands of the murderers. "But 
why art thou disquieted, oh my soul?" "Even so, Father, for so it 
seemeth good in Thy sight." "This world is poor from shore to 
shore." There is no place like heaven, and it has seemed doubly 
precious since the day my dear associates ended their toils, and 
left this world of blood and sin to enter upon the unending song 
of Moses and the Lamb. I know where you will go, my honored 
father and mother in Christ, when you have read this letter, you 
will go to the Mercy Seat, and there you will find balm for your 
deeply wounded souls, for you know how to ask for it. And when 
there, you will not forget the scattered sheep and the trembling 
lambs of our broken mission. 

At the time of the massacre, Perrin Whitman, nephew of Dr. 
Whitman, was at The Dalles in the family of Mr. Hinman, whom 
we had employed to occupy thestation which had been lately trans- 
ferred to our mission by the Methodist mission. On hearing of 
the bloody tragedy, they left the station and came to the Wal- 
lamette. He is here. The little half-breed Spanish boy by the 
name of David Malin was retained at Walla Walla. I fear he 
will fall into the hands of the priests who remain in the country. 
Catherine, Elizabeth, Matilda, Henrietta and Mary Ann,we brought 
with us to this place; Mary Ann has since died. For the other 
four we have obtained good places and they seem satisfied and 
happy. Catharine is in the family of the Rev. Mr. Roberts, Super- 
intendent of the Methodist mission. 

Three Papists, one an Indian formerly from Canada and late 
from the state of Maine, had been in the employ of the doctor a 
few weeks; one a half breed with Cayuse wife, and one a Canadian 
who had been in the employ of the doctor for more than a year, 
seemed to have aided in the massacre, and probably secured most 
of the money, watches and valuable property. The Canadian came 
down with the captives, was arrested, brought before a justice, 
bound over for trial at next court charged with having aided in 
the murders. The night before he was arrested, he secreted in the 



102 TWENTIETH ANNUAE REUNION 

ground and between the boards of a house considerable of 
Mr. Hoffman's money and a watch of one of the widows. The 
Canadian Indian, Jo Lewis, shot Francis with his own hand and 
was the first to commence breaking the windows and doors; is now 
with the hostile Indians. The half-breed named Finley was 
camped near the station, and in his lodge the murderers held their 
councils before and during the massacre. He was at the head of 
the Cayuses at the battle near the Utilla; managed by pretended 
friendship, to attract the attention of our officers, while his war- 
riors, unobserved, surrounded our army. As soon as they had 
gained their desired position, he wheeled and fired his gun, as the 
signal for the Indians to commence. Although they had the ad- 
vantage of the ground, far superior in number, and the first fire, 
they were completely defeated, driven from the field and finally 
from their possession of the country, and expect to fortify at the 
mission station at Waiilatpu. The Cayuses have removed their 
families and their stock over Snake river into the Palouse coun- 
try in the direction of brothers Walker and Eells. Our army came 
upon them at Snake river as they about were to cross. About 1,500 
head of cattle and the whole Cayuse camp were completely in their 
hands. But here our officers were again for the third and fourth 
time outwitted by some Indians riding up to them and pretend- 
ing friendship, saying that some of their own cattle were in the 
band, and begged time to separate them. Our commander having 
received orders not to involve the innocent with the guilty, gave 
them till morning. It is said his men actually wept at the terri- 
ble mistake. Next morning, as might be expected, most of the 
cattle and nearly all the Cayuse property had been crossed over 
and were safe. Our army started away with some 500 head. The 
Indians, with the pretended friendly ones at the head, fought all 
day. At night, being double the number of the whites, the In- 
dians retook their cattle. The whites were obliged to retreat to 
the station. The Indians continued to fight them through the 
night and the next day. The third day the officers reached the 
station, none killed, but seven wounded, one badly, six of the In- 
dians killed and some thirty wounded. The commander and 
half of the army immediately started for this country for provis- 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 103 

ions, ammunition and more men. If the few left are not soon 
reinforced and supplied, they will be in danger of being cut off, 
and the Indians will be down on the settlements. The com- 
mander was accidentally killed on his way down. 

The Lord has transferred us from one field of labor to an- 
other. Through the kindness of Rev. Mr. Clark, Mr. Smith and 
others, we have been brought to this place, "Tualatin Plains." 
Mrs. Spalding has a large school, and I am to preach, God assist- 
ing, at' three stations through the summer. 

As I cannot write to all, I wish this letter printed and copies 
of the papers sent to Rev. David Greene, Mission House, Boston, 
Mass.; Dudley Allen, M. D., Kinsman, Trumbull Co., Ohio; Rev. 
C.F. Scoville, Holland Patent, Oneida Co., New York.; Calvin C. 
Stowe, Lane Seminar}', Cincinnati, Ohio; Mr. Seth Paine, Troy, 
Bradford Co., Penn.; Mr. G. W. Hoffman, Elmira, Chemung Co., 
New York; Hon. Stratton H. Wheeler, Wheeler, Steuben Co., 
New York, and Christian Observer, Phildelphia, Penn. 

Yours in the deep waters of affliction, 

H. H. Spalding. 
Hon. Stephen Prentiss, Esq., 
West Almond, 
Allegheny Co., New York. 



ADDITIONAL LETTERS 



[The following letters of Mrs. Whitman, with an occasional 
one from her husband, were secured after those preceding were 
arranged for printing. This statement is made to show why 
there is a break in the chronological arrangement. — GEO. H. 
Himes, Secretary.] 



Platte River, Just above the Forks,") 
June 3d, 1836. J 

Dear Sister Harriet and Brother Edward: — Friday eve, six 
o'clock. We have just encamped for the night near the bluffs 
over against the river. The bottoms are a soft, wet plain, and we 
were obliged to leave the river yesterday for the bluffs. The face 
of the country yesterday afternoon and today has been rolling 
sand bluffs, mostly barren, quite unlike what our eyes have been 
satiated with for weeks past. No timber nearer than the Platte, 
and the water tonight is very bad — got from a small ravine. We 
have usually had good water previous to this. 

Our fuel for cooking since we left timber (no timber except 
on rivers) has been dried buffalo dung ; we now find plenty of it 
and it answers a very good purpose, similar to the kind of coal 
used in Pennsylvania (I suppose now Harriet will make up a face 
at this, but if she was here she would be glad to have her supper 
cooked at any rate in this scarce timber country). The present 
time in our journey is a very important one. The hunter brought 
us buffalo meat yesterday for the first time. Buffalo were seen today 
but none have been taken. We have some for supper tonight. Hus- 
band is cooking it — no one of the company professes the art but 
himself. I expect it will be very good. Stop — I have so much to 
say to the children that I do not know in what part of my story 
to begin. I have very little time to write. I will first tell you 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 105 

what our company consists of. We are ten in number; five mis- 
sionaries, three Indian boys and two young men employed to as- 
sist in packing animals. 

Saturday, 4th. Good morning, H. and E. I wrote last night 
till supper; after that it was so dark I could not see. I told you 
how many bipeds there was in our company last night; now for 
the quadrupeds : Fourteen horses, six mules and fifteen head of 
cattle. We milk four cows. We started with seventeen, but we 
have killed one calf, and the Fur Company, being out of provision, 
have taken one of our cows for beef. It is usually pinching 
times with the Company before they reach the buffalo. We have 
had a plenty because we made ample provision at Liberty. We 
purchased a barrel of flour and baked enough to last us, with 
killing a calf or two, until we reached the buffalo. 

The Fur Company is large this year; we are really a moving 
village — nearly 400 animals, with ours, mostly mules, and 70 men. 
The Fur Company have seven wagons drawn by six mules each, 
heavily loaded, and one cart drawn by two mules, which carries 
a lame man, one of the proprietors of the Company. We have 
two wagons in our company. Mr. and Mrs. S., husband and my- 
self ride in one, Mr. Gray and the baggage in the other. Our In- 
dian boys drive the cows and Dulin the horses. Young Miles 
leads our forward horses, four in each team. Now E., if you want 
to see the camp in motion, look away ahead and see first the pilot 
and the captain, Fitzpatrick, just before him; next the pack ani- 
mals, all mules, loaded with great packs; soon after you will see 
the wagons, and in the rear, our company. We all cover quite a 
space. The pack mules always string along one after the other 
just like Indians. 

There are several gentlemen in the company who are going 
over the mountains for pleasure. Capt. Stewart (Mr. Lee speaks 
of him in his journal — he went over when he did and returned) 
he is an Englishman and Mr. Celam. We had a few of them to tea 
with us last Monday evening, Capts. Fitzpatrick, Stewart, Major 
Harris and Celam. 



Io6. OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

I wish I. could describe to you how we live so that you can 
realize it. Our manner of living is far preferable to any in the 
States. I never was so contented and happy before, neither have 
I enjoyed such health for years. In the morning as soon as the 
day breaks the first that we hear is the words, "Arise ! Arise !" — 
then the mules set up such a noise as you never heard, which puts 
the whole camp in motion. We encamp in a large ring, baggage 
and men, tents and wagons on the outside, and all the animals 
except the cows, which are fastened to pickets, within the circle. 
This arrangement is to accommodate the guard, who stand regu- 
larly ever}' night and day, also when we are in motion, to protect 
our animals from the approach of Indians, who would steal' them. 
As I said, the mules' noise brings every man on his feet to loose 
them and turn them out to feed. 

Now, H. and E., you must think it very hard to have to get 
up so early after sleeping on the soft ground, when you find it 
hard work to open your eyes at seven o'clock. Just think of me 
- — every morning at the word, " Arise !" we all spring. While the 
horses are feeding we get breakfast in a hurry and eat it. By 
this time the words, " Catch up! Catch up," ring through the 
camp for moving. We are ready to start usually at six, travel 
till eleven, encamp, rest and feed, and start again about two; 
travel until six, or before, if we come to a good tavern, then en- 
camp for the night. 

vSince we have been in the prairie we have done all our cook- 
ing. When we left Libert}' we expected to take bread to last us 
part of the way, but could not get enough to carry us any dis- 
tance. We found it awkward work to bake out of doors at first, 
but we have become so accustomed to it now we do it very easily. 

Tell mother I am a very good housekeeper on the prairie. I 
wish she could just take a peep at us while we are sitting at our 
meals. Our table is the ground, our table-cloth is an India-rubber 
cloth used when it rains as a cloak; our dishes are made of tin — 
basins for teacups, iron spoons and plates, each of us, and several 
pans for milk and to put our meat in when we wish to set it on 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION . IO7 

the table. Each one carries his own knife in his scabbard, and it 
is always ready for use. When the table things are spread, after 
making our own forks of sticks and helping ourselves to chairs, 
we gather around ihe table. Husband always provides my seat, and 
in a way that you would laugh to see. Tt is the fashion of all this 
country to imitate the Turks. Messrs. Dunbar and Allis have 
supped with us, and they do the same. We take a blanket and 
lay down by the table, and those whose joints will let them fol- 
low the fashion; others take out some of the baggage (I suppose 
you know that there is no stones in this country; not a stone have 
I seen of any size on the prairie). For my part I fix myself as 
gracefully as I can, sometimes on a blanket, sometimes on a box, 
just as it is convenient. Let me assure you of this, we relish our 
food none the less for sitting on the ground while eating. We 
have tea and a plenty of milk, which is a luxury in this country. 
Our milk has assisted us very much in making our bread since we 
have been journeying. While the Fur Company has felt the want 
of food, our milk has been of great service to us; but it was con- 
siderable work for us to supply ten persons with bread three times 
a day. We are done using it now. What little flour we have left 
we shall preserve for thickening our broth, which is excellent. I 
never saw any thing like buffalo meat to satisfy hunger. We do 
not want any thing else with it. I have eaten three meals of it 
and it relishes well. Supper and breakfast we eat in our tent. 
We do not pitch it at noon. Have worship immediately after 
supper and breakfast. 

Noon. — The face of the country today has been like that of 
yesterday. We are now about 30 miles above the forks, and leav- 
ing the bluffs for the river. We have seen wonders this forenoon. 
Herds of buffalo hove in sight ; one, a bull, crossed our trail and 
ran upon the bluffs near the rear of the camp. We took the 
trouble to chase him so as to have a near view. Sister Spalding 
and myself got out of the wagon and ran upon the bluff to see 
him. This band was quite willing to gratify our curiosity, seeing 
it was the first. Several have been killed this forenoon. The 
Company keep a man out all the time to hunt for the camp. 



108 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

Edward, if I write much more in this way I do not know as 
you can read it without great difficulty. I could tell you much 
more, but as we are all ready to move again, so farewell for the 
present. I wish you were all here with us going to the dear In- 
dians. I have become very much attached to Richard Sak-ah- 
too-ah. 'T is the one you saw at our wedding; he calls me moth- 
er; I love to teach him — to take care of him, and hear them talk. 
There are five Nez Perces in the company, and when they are to- 
gether they chatter finely. Samuel Temoni, the oldest one, has 
just come into the camp with the skin and some of the meat 
of a buffalo which he has killed himself. He started this fore- 
noon of his own accord. It is what they like dearly, to hunt buf- 
falo. So long as we have him with us we shall be supplied with 
meat. 

I am now writing backwards. Monday morning. — I begun to 
say something here that I could not finish. Now the man from 
the mountains has come who will take this to the office. I have 
commenced one to sister Hull which I should like to send this 
time if I could finish it. We have just met him and we have 
stopped our wagons to write a little. Give my love to all. I have 
not told you half I want to. We are all in health this morning 
and making rapid progress in our journey. By the 4th of Jul}- 
our captain intends to be at the place where Mr. Parker and 
husband parted last fall. We are a month earlier passing here 
than they were last spring. Husband has begun a letter to pa 
and ma, and since he has cut his finger so it troubles him to 
write to the rest. As this is done in a hurry I don't know as you 
can read it. Tell mother that if I had looked the world over I 
could not have found one more careful and better qualified to 
transport a female such a distance. Husband says, " stop." 

Farewell to all. 

Narcissa Prentiss. 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION IO9 



On Platte River, 30 Miles above the Forks,) 

June 4th, 1836. J 

Dear Father and Mother Prentiss: — You will be anxious to 
hear from us at this distance and learn our situation and pro- 
gress. We have been greatly blest thus far on our journey. We 
have had various trials, it is true, but they have mostly been over- 
ruled for our good. Narcissa's health is much improved from 
what it was when she left N. Y. We failed of going from Liberty 
to Bellevue as was expected in the Fur Co's. steamboat. We were 
waiting at Liberty for the boat for some time and thought we 
would go on with our cattle, horses and wagons, and let Mr. All is 
from the Pawnee agency stay with the ladies and go on the boat. 
Accordingly Messrs. Spalding and Gray went on and I was to join 
them at Cantonment Leavenworth. In the meantime Mrs. Sat- 
terlee died and the boat passed but refused to stop for us. Mr. 
Spalding wrote me he would wait eight miles the other side of 
the garrison until I came up, so that when the boat passed I did 
not send an express as I otherwise should have done, but proceeded 
to hire a team to take us on; but when we arrived at the 
garrison he had crossed the river and gone directly on for Belle- 
vue and had been gone for three days, which caused me to have 
to send an express for him, which did not overtake him until they 
were within forty miles of the Platte. I followed with the women 
and baggage, with a hired team. We met our teams the fourth 
day on their return. From that on we were greatly favored with 
fair weather, never having to encounter any rainstorm or serious 
shower. We have not been once wet even to this time, and we 
are now beyond where the rains fall much in summer. 

We had several days delay from my going ahead to see Maj. 
Dougherty's brother, who was very sick and sent for me when he 
learned I was coming. It was Sabbath and we were within iN 
miles of the Otto Agency, which is on the Platte, where Mr. 
Dougherty lives. On Monday I sent the man who came for me af- 
ter the party, and I went to see Fitzpatrick, the leader of the Fur 
caravan, with whom we were to travel. I found him encamped 



IIO OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

ready for a start on Thursday morning, about 25 miles from the 
Otto Agency. When I returned our party had not arrived and did 
not come in until Wednesday, the man who was to pilot them 
having lost his way. 

We had great difficulty in crossing the Platte which, together 
with repairs to our wagons, detained us until Saturday noon, May 
21st, and he (Fitzpatrick) had been gone from Sunday. We felt 
much doubt about overtaking them, but we pushed on, and after 
ferrying the Horn in a skin boat and making a very difficult ford 
of the Loup, we overtook the Company at a few miles below the 
Pawnee villages on Wednesday evening, We then felt that we 
had been signally blessed, thanked God and took courage. We 
felt it had been of great service to us that we had been disap- 
pointed in these several particulars, particularly as it tested the 
ability of our ladies to journey in this way. We have since made 
good progress every day, and are now every way well situated, 
having plenty of good buffalo meat and the cordial co-operation 
of the company with whom we are journeying. 

June 6th. — We have just met the men by whom we can send 
letters and have to close without farther particulars or ceremony. 

With Christian regards to your family, farewell. 
Yours affectionately, 

Marcus Whitman. 



WiELETPOO.July 4th, 1838. 

My Dear Sister Perkins: — Your letter was handed me on the 
8th inst., a little after noon, and I must say I was a little sur- 
prised to receive a return so soon. Surely, we are near each other. 
You will be likely to have known opportunities of sending to us, 
more frequently than I shall your way, which I hope you will 
not neglect because you have not received the answer to yours. I 
do not intend to be so long again in replying as I have this time. 



TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION III 

When I received yours, I was entirely alone. My husband had 
gone to brother Spalding's to assist him in putting up a house, 
and soon after, we had the privilege of preparing and entertain- 
ing Mr. and Mrs. McDonald and family of Colville. They came 
by the way of brother Spalding's, spent nearly a week with 
them and then came here. They left here last Thursday, and are 
still at Walla Walla. Had a very pleasant, agreeable visit with 
them. Find Mrs. McDonald quite an intelligent woman; speaks 
English very well, reads and is the principal instructor of their 
children. She is a correspondent, also, with myself and sister 
Spalding. She appears more thoughtful upon the subject of re- 
ligion than any I have met with before, and has some consistent 
views. What her experimental knowledge is, I am unable to say. 
It would be a privilege to have her situated near us, so that we 
could have frequent intercourse; it would, no doubt be profitable. 

You ask after my plan of proceedings with the Indians, etc. 
I wish I was able to give you satisfactory answers. I have no 
plan separate from my husband's, and besides you are mistaken 
about the language being at command, for nothing is more diffi- 
cult than for me to attempt to convey religious truth in their 
language, especially when there are so few, or no terms expressive 
of the meaning. Husband succeeds much better than I, and we 
have good reason to feel that so far as understood, the truth affects 
the heart, and not a little, too. We have done nothing lor the 
females separately; indeed, our house is so small, and only one 
room to admit them, and that is the kitchen. It is the men only 
that frequent our house much.. Doubtless you have been with 
the Indians long enough to discover this feature, that women are 
not allowed the same privileges with the men. I scarcely see 
them except on the Sabbath in our assemblies. I have frequently 
desired to have more intercourse with them, and am waiting to 
have a room built for them and other purposes of instruction. 
Our principal effort is with the children now, and we find many 
very interesting ones. But more of this in future when I have 
more time. 

Mr. Pamburn has sent a horse for me to ride to his place to- 



112 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

morrow. Mrs. Pambrun has been out of health for some time, 
and we have fears that she will not recover. As I have consider- 
able preparations to make for the visit, must defer writing more 
at present. In haste, I subscribe myself, 

Your affectionate sister in Christ, 

Narcissa Whitman. 

P. S. — I long to hear from Mrs. Lee. 



Walla Walla, nth. 

My Dear Sister: — I am still here. The brigade arrived yester- 
day and having time and opportunity to send home for this letter, 
both are sent by the return boats. We have just received three 
or four letters from our friends at home, they being the first news 
received since we bade them farewell. Find it good to know 
what is going on there, although all is not of a pleasing character. 
Our Sandwich Island friends give us pleasing intelligence of the 
glorious display of the power of God in converting that heathen 

people in such multitudes. 

Ever yours, 

N. Whitman. 
Rev. Mrs. H. K. W. Perkins, 

Wascopum, 

La Dalls. 



WlELETPOO, Nov. 5th, 1838. 

My Dear Sister Perkins: — I did not think when 1 received 
your good long letter that I should have delayed until this time 
before answering it. But so varied are the scenes that have 
passed before me, so much company and so man)' cares, etc., be- 
sides writing many letters home, that I beg you will excuse me. 
Notwithstanding all this, I have often, very of ten, thought of you 
and wished for the privilege of seeing you. I must confess I do 
not like quite so well to think of you where you now are as when 



TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION I 13 

you were nearer. Why did you go? Some of our sisters here 
might just as well as not have spent a short season with you this 
fall (for they have nothing else to do, conparatively speaking) 
rather than to have you and your dear husband lose so much 
time from your interesting field of labour; and besides we fear 
the influence of the climate of the lower country upon your 
health. Our prayer is that the Lord will deal gently with you 
and bless and preserve you to be a rich and lasting good to the 
benighted ones for whom you have devoted your life. 

How changed the scene now with us at Wieletpoo from what 
it has been in former days. Instead of husband and myself 
stalking about here like two solitary beings, we have the society 
of six of our brethren and sisters who eat at our table and expect 
to spend the winter with us. This is a privilege we highly praise, 
especially when we come to mingle our voices in prayer and praise 
together before the mercy seat, and hear the word of God preached 
in our own language from Sabbath to Sabbath, and to commune 
together around the table of our dear Son and Saviour Jesus 
Christ. Those favours, dear sister, almost make us forget we are 
i>u heathen ground. Since I last wrote you we have enjoyed re- 
freshing seasons from the hand of our Heavenly Father in the 
conviction and conversion of two or three individuals in our 
family. Doubtless Brother Lee has given you the particulars, yet 
! wish to speak of it for our encouiagement who have been en- 
gaged in the concert of prayer on Tuesday evening for the year 
past. I verily believe we have not prayed in vain, for our revival 
seasons have been on that evening, and I seem to feel, too, that 
the whole atmosphere in all Oregon, is effected by that meeting, 
for the wicked know far and near, that there are those here who 
pray. We have every reason to be assured tha* were there more 
faith and prayer and consecration to the work among ourselves, 
we should witness in the heathen around us many turning to 
the Lord. If I know my own heart I think I, too, desire to be 
freed from so many worldly cares and perplexities, and that my 
time may be spent in seeking the immediate conversion of these 
dear heathen to God. O, what a thought to think of meeting 



114 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

them among the blood-washed throng around the throne of God! 
Will not their songs be as sweet as any we can sing? What joy 
will then fill our souls to contemplate the privilege we now enjoy 
of spending and being spent for their good. If we were constantly 
to keep our eyes on the scenes that are before us, we should 
scarcely grow weary in well doing, or be disheartened by the few 
trials and privations through which we are called to pass. 

Dear sister, I have written in great haste and hope you will 
excuse me. Wishing and expecting to hear from you soon, of 
your prosperity and happiness, with much love and sisterly 
affection to you and yours, believe me, 

Ever yours in the best of bonds, 

Narcissa Whitman. 
Rev. Mrs. H. K. W. Perkins, 

Wallamette. 



WiELETPOO, Feb. 18th, 1839. 

My Dear- Sister:—! received your letter last week, although 
written in Dec. We had some time ago the pleasure of reading of 
your husband's visit to the Willamette, in an acccount which he 
gives the particulars relative to the protracted meeting there. Be 
assured we rejoiced with you and angels in heaven at such a glor- 
ious display of the power of our God, and stretch out our hearts 
to desire a like blessing upon ourselves and our heathen neigh- 
bors. 

I am much interested in the people at Vancouver, and am 
pleased to hear of the ladies' improvement, and earnestly hope the 
good work may extend to that place also, and jthat your deten- 
tion there may result in great good to many souls. 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 115 

• 
The Lord will take care of those Roman priests there. It is 

doubtless for some wise purpose he has permitted them to enter 
this country. May we be wise and on the alert, and show our- 
selves as true, faithful, energetic in our Master's work as they do, 
and we shall have no cause to fear, for there are more for us than 
against us. I trust it has had some influence upon us, their pres- 
ence in this country; at least we feel it our duty to use every 
possible effort to obtain the language of the people, and not hav- 
ing as good an opportunity amid the cares of our family as we 
could wish, we, husband, self and little Alice, left our dwelling 
and went about sixty-five miles to a camp of Indians, in January, 
and was gone nearly three weeks, and received much benefit. Pre- 
vious to this, husband had been over to Brother S.'s to attend a pro- 
tracted meeting, held at the same time with yours at the W. And 
now we are on the eve of another departure. We expect to-mor- 
row morn to start on a visit to Brother S.'s to attend a meeting of 
the mission, and also another protracted meeting with the Indians, 
when it is expected that nearly all the Nez Perces will be present. 
We feel deeply anxious for our people, and it seems sometimes as 
if the blessing was almost within reach for them, but it is with- 
held, and doubtless because the Lord sees that we are not pre- 
pared to receive it. O, for that deep humility, strong faith, re- 
pentance and union of soul in prayer which was the secret of suc- 
cess in your meeting, and which characterizes every revival of re- 
ligion. But 1 must be excused from writing more at this time. 
Shall want to hear from you just as soon as you shall have ar- 
rived home. Should judge from sister Walker's letter from you 
that the dear little babe, Henry Johnson, had got considerable 
hold of its mother's affections already. Precious trust, that, dear 
sister — an immortal mind to rear for Eternity. The Lord bless 
you and give you grace and wisdom to train that child for His 
glory, both in this world and hereafter, and make you feel contin- 
ually that, what ever you do for him, you do it as belonging to 
the Lord, as given to Him and only a lent blessing to you, to train 
up for Him. But more of this another time. 



Il6 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

With kind regards to your husband and Brother Lee, who we 
hope is again cheered with the society of his fellow associates 
by this time, and a kiss for the little one, 

I ani your affectionate sister, 

N. Whitman. 

P. S. — Mrs. VJ. will tell you her stor}' herself as she has more 
time than I at present. 

c-w, N - w - 

Rev. Mrs. Perkins, 

Wascopum. 

Care of 

Lieut. P. C. Pambrun, 

Fort Walla Walla. 



WiELETPOO, March 23, 1S39. 

My Dear Sister : — Yours of theSth inst. I received the evening 
of my return to this place from Clearwater. It had been waiting 
me but a day or two, I believe. I am happy to hear that you are 
once more so near us again. I received a hint from Sister White 
in her last letter that yourself and husband were on the way, or 
soon would be, to pay us a visit. I fear my last letter informing 
you of my absence has discouraged your coming. Had I received 
the least intimation that it were possible for you to visit us while 
our sisters were all here, I would have been at home without fail. 
The open winter and spring has made it more favourable for 
them to leave for the upper station much earlier than was ex- 
pected. They left the first of March just before I returned. We 
tnet them, however, on the Palouse, after they had been out five 
<la\s. All was well; the babe was enduring the journey as well as 
could be expected. I hope you will still think of coming this 
season. We shall be happy to see you. 

I visited Mrs. Pambrun on Monday of this week — found her 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 117 

in much better health than I once feared she ever would be 
again. She certainly talks English very well. I found myself 
able to obtain all the information concerning Vancouver I could 
wish. Maria has been with me a short time, and for her sake I 
would have been happy to have had her remain longer; but she 
could not be persuaded to stay from her mother any longer. We 
have a daughter of Mr. McKay's with us now — for little more 
than a year. She improves very much and promises to make a . 
valuable person if she can be kept long enough. 

You wished me to write something about my little girl. I do 
not know what to tell you than to say she is a large, healthy and 
strong child, two years old the 14th of this month. She talks 
both Nez Perces and English quite fluently, and is much inclined 
to read her book with the children of the family, and sings all 
our Nez Perces hymns and several in English. Her name is Alice 
Clarissa. You dreamed of seeing her, you say. I hope it will be 
a reality soon, for I am very anxious to see young Henry John- 
son, too. I am glad he learns to bear the yoke so well, not in his 
youth, but in his infancy. Exposures in journeyings in this 
country appear to be a benefit rather than an injury to our chil- 
dren. I have taken several with Alice, and they have generally 
been in the winter. When she was nine months old we went to 
Brother Spalding's to attend upon our sister at the birth of their 
child. It was in November, and we returned in December by 
way of Snake river, in a canoe. It was a tedious voyage, but we 
neither of us received any injury. 

We intend to be very free from worldly cares this season, and 
apply ourselves entirely to the missionary work of studying the 
language and teaching. After our successful trial of last winter's 
encamping with the Indians husband feels that he has n'o excuse 
for not taking me again and again, and I can make no objec- 
tion, notwithstanding it would be far easier for me to stay at 
home with my child, and perhaps better for her; but the roving 
habits of the Indians make it necessary for us either to do so, or 
else spend the greater part of our time alone, during their ab- 
from the Station. Husband is appointed to commence an out-sta- 



Il8 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

tion on the Snake river at the mouth of the Tukanon, and besides 
spending some time there during the fishing season, we intend 
to go to Grand Round with the Kayuses. 

Brother and Sister Smith will probably go somewhere in the 
heart of the Nez Perce country, beyond Brother Spalding's, in or- 
der to commence translating the Scriptures immediately. We 
find work enough to do for all hands, and our daily prayer is 
that God will pour out His spirit on these benighted minds and 
turn their darkness into light, and make them His. 

I hope you will continue to write often and freely. I do not 
see how you get along and learn so many languages. What is 
the particular benefit? We hear many spoken, but we intend to 
learn only one, and make that the general one for the country. 
We are all enjoying good health. Received a letter from Sister 
Spalding saying that Sister Gray was happily the mother of a 
little son — had a remarkably short and easy sickness and is doing 
well. The *babe weighed nine pounds. 

Please give my kind regards to your husband and Brother 
Lee. Hope he finds the monotony of Wascopam much changed 
by the return of its former occupants, particularly when there is 
such a pleasing addition. 



Yours in love, 

N. Whitman. 



Rev. Mrs. Perkins, 

Wascopam. 



Wieletpoo, Walla Walla River, Oregon Territory, \ 

May 17th, 1839. i 

My Dear Jane : — This is a late hour for me to commence my 
home correspondence. Yesterday Mr. Ermatinger, who com- 
mands the expedition instead of Mr. McLeod and McKay, left 
here, after spending a night with us, for the mountains. We have 

*Capt. J. H. D. Gray, of Astoria. 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 119 

felt much uncertainty about letters sent this way reaching you, 
this year. There is some doubt in Mr. E.'s mind about his being 
able to go as far as the American Rendevous; if he does not, there 
probably will be no one to take them and bear them on, and it 
must be a known hand, too, for it is not safe to trust letters to 
those reckless beings who inhabit the Rocky Mountain's. Besides 
this reason, we have b°en so much on the wing since the first day 
of January, that it has not been easy to write. If you have re- 
ceived my fall letters, they will show you where and how we were 
situated for the winter. In December, just three months afteu 
the arrival of the re-enforcement, Mrs. Walker gave birth to a fine 
son, here in our house. Mr. Smith had but just removed into the 
new house built last fall and winter after my husband's return 
from Vancouver. She did not recover without three relapses; suf- 
fered much from sore breasts and nipples, and what to me would 
be the greatest affliction, no nipples at all. Her poor babe had to 
depend upon a foreign native nurse or milk from the cows. 

Mrs. Gray had a son born in March, the twentieth — recovered 
in a short time. 

I said to you that we had been on the wing. January the first 
day, husband started to go to Brother Spalding's to attend a pro- 
tracted meeting; after the close, and on his return, he formed a 
plan of going and living with the Indians for the benefit of having 
free access to the language and to be free from care and company. 
He had no difficulty to persuade me to accompany him, for I was 
nearly exhausted, both in body and mind, in the labour and care 
of our numerous family. Accordingly we left home on the 23rd 
of January. It was about fifty miles from our place; we arrived 
on the third day; had a pleasant journey and quite warm for the 
season of the year; we slept in a tent and made a fire before the 
mouth of it. We had not been there but two or three days before 
it became very cold and snowed some. This with the smoke 
made Alice cry some, and we were obliged to put up a lodge 
around the fire at the mouth of the tent to prevent the smoke 
from troubling us. While there I attempted to write you about 



120 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNJON 

us, but was soon obliged to give it up. I will make one extract 
from what I did write : 

"Sab. at Tukanon, Jan. 27, 1S39. — This has been a day of pe- 
culiar interest here. Could you have been an eye witness of the 
scenes you would, as I do, have rejoiced in being thus privileged. 
The morning worship at daybreak I did not attend. At midday 
I was present. Husband talked to them of the parable of the rich 
man and Lazarus; all listened with eager attention. After 
prayer and singing, an opportunity was given for those who had 
heavy hearts under a sense of sin, and only those, to speak if they 
wished it. For a few moments all 6at in silence; soon a promi- 
nent and intelligent man named Timothy broke the silence with 
sobs weeping. He arose, spoke of his great wickedness, and how 
very black his heart was; how weak and insufficient he was of 
himself to effect his own salvation; that his only dependence 
was in the blood of Christ to make him clean and save his soul 
from sin and hell. He was followed by a brother, who spoke 
much to the same effect. Next came the wives of the first and of 
the second, who seemed to manifest deep feelings. Several others 
followed; one in particular, while confessing her sins, her tears 
fell to the ground so copiously that I was reminded of the weep- 
ing " Mary who washed her Saviour's feet with her tears." All 
manifested much deep feeling; some in loud sobs and tears; oth- 
ers in anxious and solemn countenance. You can better imagine 
my feelings than I can describe them on witnessing such a scene 
in heathen lands. They bad but recently come from the meeting 
at Brother Spalding's. We know not their hearts or motives of 
action, but our sincere prayer is that they all may be gathered to 
His fold as the children of His flock. 

" O, my dear Jane, could you see us here this beautiful eve, 
the full moon shining in all her splendor, clear, yet freezing cold, 
my little one sleeping by my side, husband at worship with the 
people within hearing, and I sitting in the " door of the tent" 
writing, with my usual clothing except a shawl, and handker- 
chief on my head, and before me a large comfortable fire in the 
open air. Do you think we suffer? No, dear Jane; I have not 



TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 121 

realized so much enjoyment for a long time as 1 have since I 
have been here. I know mo her will say it is presumption for 
them to expose themselves and that child to the inclemencies of 
such a season. We are all much better prepared to endure and 
secured from the cold than any we see about us, and ought not 
to say we suffer; and besides, Alice's health has improved since 
she left the house. But the advantages we expect to derive from 
associations with and benefiting them will more than compen- 
sate us for the little inconvenience we now experience. The 
meeting is closed and I write no more." 

I was not able to write more after this. We stayed into the 
third week and were necessarily called home sooner than was ex- 
pected. We had been home but just a week when husband was 
called to attend the meeting of our mission. I was permitted to 
accompany him. We started on Tuesday noon in a rainstorm, 
and reached there on Friday a little after noon, making no miles' 
in three days on horseback, Alice riding with her father. This 
was in Feb. In March we returned, but not in the same way. 
Here F think I must stop, for if I should go into particulars it 
would take more time than 1 can command at present. 

.Mr. Hall and wife have arrived from the Sandwich Islands. 
They have come for the benefit of Mrs. H.'s health; brought a 
printing press, which is stationed at Mr. S.'s, and next week hus- 
band expects to go there to make arrangements for the benefit of 
Mrs. H.'s health. She is affected with a spinal irritation and ap- 
pears just like L. Linslev; sits up but very little; was carried 
there in a boat up the Snake river. He thinks he can cure her. 
He has had several cases since he has been here, all with good 
success. Others write us if Mrs. Hall is benefited, they will prob- 
ably come. We feel closely united to that mission. Our number 
of correspondents increase. Mrs. Judd and Mrs. Whitney write l<> 
me. 

The Indians we encamped with were Xez Perces. The most 
of them were not so hardened in sin; or, rather, they were not so 
proud a people as our people, the Wieletpoos, are; the most of ours 
have been absent during the winter, and returned just the time 



122 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

we returned from Tukanon. Husband spent more than usual 
time in worship and instructing them, and instead of yielding to 
the truth they oppose it vigourously, and to this day some of 
them continue to manifest bitter opposition. 

You know not how much we are expecting Brother and Sister 
Judson, and if we do not see him in July by the ship, I shall feel 
that he is coming across the mountains with Brother Lee. We 
need help very much, and those who will pray, too. In this we 
have been disappointed in our helpers last come, particularly the 
two Revs, who have gone to the Flatheads. They think it not 
good to have too many meetings, too many prayers,and that it is 
wrong and unseemly for a woman to pray where there are men, 
and plead the necessity for wine, tobacco, etc.; and now how do 
you think I have lived with such folks right in my kitchen for 
the whole winter? If you can imagine my feelings you will do 
more than I can describe. To have such dampers thrown upon us 
when we were enjoying such a precious revival season as we were 
when they came, is more than I know how to live under. This, with 
so much care and perplexity, nearly cost me a fit of sickness; and 
I do not know but it would have taken my life had it not been 
for the journey I was permitted to take the last of the winter. 
What I write here had better be kept to yourselves lest it should 
do injury. 

We have just this moment received the news that the ship 
from England had arrived, but has brought no letters for us from 
our dear friends, because the ships had not arrived from the States 
to the Islands when she passed. We know not when we shall 
hear from home. I do not know where to send this because you 
say you visit Onondaga next summer. O, how I long to hear 
about them there. O, that you would all write me, and each take 
a different subject, so as to tell me all the news you can. 

With much love from husband, Alice and myself to you all 
and all with whom you are concerned, adieu. 

Your sister, in haste, 

Narcissa Whitman. 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION I 23 

P. S. — A. C. talks much, sings much, loves to read her book, and 
every morning at worship repeats her verse as regularly as morning 
comes; and appears to take a part in the worship, especially in 
the singing, as if she was as old as her mother; and often is very 
much disappointed if we do not give the tunes she is acquainted 
with; and she and her mother often talk about her relatives in 
the States. I might write half a sheet about our dear daughter, 
but have not time. Mr. Hall says much to us about the evils of 
allowing her to learn the native language, as well as our corres- 
pondents there. I can assure you we feel deeplv for her. We 
know not what is our duty concerning her. In order to prevent 
it it appears that I must take much of my time from intercourse 
with the natives. I cast myself upon the Lord. I know He will 
direct in every emergency, and so farewell. Pray for us and the 
heathen. We hope and pray for a revival of religion. If our own 
hearts were united and right we should see it soon, and a general 
one, too. M. W. 

N. W. 

A. C. W. 
Miss Jane A. Prentiss, 

Quincy, 

Illinois. 



Wihletpoo, June 25th, 1839. 

My Dear Sister: — Your letter of April inst. I received but a 
few days ago, or it would have been answered much sooner. You 
make some important inquiries concerning my treatment of my 
precious child, Alice Clarissa, now laying by me a lifeless lump of 
clay. Yes, of her I loved and watched so tenderly, I am bereaved. 
My Jesus in love to her and us has taken her to himself. 

Last Sabbath, blooming in health, cheerful and happy in 
herself and in the society of her much loved parents, yet in one 
moment she disappeared, went to the river with two cups to get 
some water for the table, fell in and was drowned. Mysterious 
event! we can in no wav account for the circumstances connected 



124 TWENTIETH ANNUAL REUNION 

with it, otherwise than that the Lord meant it should be so, 
Husband and I were both engaged in reading. She had just a 
few minutes before been reading to her father; had got down out 
of his lap, and as my impression, was amusing herself by the door 
in the yard. After a few moments, not hearing her voice, I sent 
Margaret to search for her. She did not find her readily, and in- 
stead of coming to me to tell that she had not found her, she 
went to the garden to get some radishes for supper; on seeing her 
pass to the water to wash them, I looked to see if Alice was with 
her, but saw that she was not. That moment I began to be 
alarmed, for Mungo had just been in and said there were two cups 
in the river. We immediately inquired for her, but no one had 
seen her. We then concluded she must be in the river. We 
searched down the river, and up and down again in wild dismay, 
but could not find her for a long time. Several were in the river 
searching far down. By this time we gave her up for dead. At 
last an old Indian got into the river where she fell in and looked 
along by the shore and found her a short distance below. But it 
was too late; she was dead. We made' every effort possible to 
bring her to life, but all was in vain. On hearing that the cups 
were in the river, I resolved in my mind how they could get 
there, for we had not missed them. By the time I reached the 
water-side and saw where they were, it came to my recollection 
that I had a glimpse of her entering the house and saying, with 
her usual glee, "ha, ha, supper is most ready" (for the table had 
just been set), "let Alice get some water," at the same time taking 
two cups from the table and disappearing. Being absorbed in 
reading I did not see her or think anything about her — which 
way she went to get her water. I had never known her to go to 
the river or to appear at all venturesome until within a week past. 
Previous to this she has been much afraid to go near the water 
anywhere, for her father had once put her in, which so effectually 
frightened her that we had lost that feeling of anxiety for her in 
a measure on its account. But she had gone; yes, and because my 
Saviour would have it so. He saw it necessary to afflict us, and 
has taken her away. Now we see how much we loved her, and 
you know the blessed Saviour will not have His children bestow 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 25 

an undue attachment upon creature objects without reminding 
us of His own superior claim upon our affections. Take warning, 
dear sister, by our bereavement that you do not let your dear babe 
get between your heart and the Saviour, for you like us, are sol- 
itary and alone and in almost the dangerous necessity of loving 
too ardently the precious gift, to the neglect of the giver. 

Saturday evening, 29 — After ceasing effort to restore our dear 
babe to life, we immediately sent for Brother Spalding and others 
to come to sympathize and assist in committing to the grave her 
earthly remains. Tuesday afternoon Mr. Hall reached here. Mr. 
S. and wife took a boat and came down the river to Walla Walla, 
and reached here Thursday morning, nine o'clock, and we buried 
her that afternoon, just four days from the time her happy- 
spirit took its flight to the bosom of her Saviour. When I write 
again, I will give you some particulars of her short life, which 
are deeply interesting to me, and will be to you, I trust, for you, 
too, are acquainted with a mother's feelings and a mother's heart. 

Probably we may return to Clearwater with Brother and 
Sister S., as it is necessary for my husband to go on business for 

the mission. Dear sister, do pray for me in this trying bereave- 
ment, for supporting grace to bear without murmuring thought, 
the dealings of the blessed God inward us, and that it may be 
sanctified to the good of our souls and of these heathen around 
us. 

O! on what a tender thread hangs these mortal frames*, and 
how soon we vanish and are gone. She will not come to me, but 
I shall sm hi go to her. Let me speak to you of the great mercj 
of my Redeemer toward one so unworthy. You know not, neither 
can I tell you, how much He comforts and sustains me in this 
trying moment. He enables me to say, "The Lord gave and the 
Lord hath taken away, blessed, ever blessed, be the name of the 
Lord." 

Sister Spalding sends love to you and will write you soon. 

In haste, as ever your affectionate, but now afflicted sister in 
Christ, N. Whitman'. 

Rev. Mrs. II. K. W. Perkins, 

Wascopum. 



126 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

WlELETPOO, July 26th, 1839. 

Very Dear Sister: — You know not how like an angel's visit 
your dear husband's presence has been to me, now in my truly 
lonely situation, for my dear husband has been absent for a week. 
This added to the death of my precious Alice has almost over- 
come me. He proposes to leave early in the morning; I would 
gladly detain him if I could till my husband's return. I thought 
I must write a few lines to endeavor to persuade you to under- 
take a visit to us when he comes to go to the general meeting. I 
think I have removed all his objections and made it appear easy 
for him to carry your dear babe. Now if you knew how easy we 
get along in traveling with children, you would not hesitate for 
a moment. I need not say that I want to see you very much and 
shall expect you will come, and we will go together to brother 
Spalding's. Do come; it will do you good; it will do us all good 
to meet together and mingle our prayers and tears before the 
throne of grace. 

I have been talking to your husband much about Alice. 
When I see you I can tell you all. I am not able to say any- 
thing about her now for want of time. It would do me much 
good to see little Henry, and I shall feel that you will come and 
will have no occasion to regret or feel that you have lost time by 
it. We shall expect to have a meeting of our National Associa- 
tion, which we anticipate will be interesting to us all, especiall}- 
mothers. 

You will excuse this hasty note, I trust. I will write more 
next time, if you do not come. 

Believe me ever your affectionate sister in the Lord. 

N. Whitman. 

P. S. — I ought to have said before this that your kind and 
sympathizing letter was a cordial to my afflicted heart. Remem- 
ber me to Brother Lee and. kiss the babe for me. 

N. W. 
Rev. Mrs. H. K. W. Perkins, 

Wascopum. 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 27 



Waiilatpu, Jan. 1st, 1840. 

My Dear Sister Perkins: — I have been trying to imagine a rea- 
son for so long silence, for I have received no letters from you 
since writing my two last. Hope you have not been sick. You 
have had much company, I know, as well as we here. We hear 
from you, notwithstanding, and our hearts greatly rejoice to learn 
of the success of your labours there. Brother Hall has favoured us 
with the perusal of your husband's letters. O, that we could be 
with 3'ou in the gracious visitations. My soul longs, yea, thirsts, 
for seasons like many I have been witness and partaker of, in my 
native land. I am tired of living at this poor dying rate. To be 
a missionary in name and to do so little or nothing for the bene- 
fit of heathen souls, is heart-sickening. I sometimes almost wish to 
give my place to others who can do more for their good. With us 
we need more prayer and lioly living. But with our hearts divid- 
ed between our appropriate missionary work and getting a living, 
how can we expect it otherwise? — yet this is no excuse. We think 
of you often, and daily are you remembered at the Throne of Grace. 
We rejoice that our Indians attend your meetings. O, that their 
hardened hearts might be touched by the power of Divine Truth, 
and they be made to taste the dying and redeeming love. A very 
few are with us for the winter and I have a school of about twen- 
ty. Their being absent so much of the time is exceedingly try- 
ing to us. Do write me and let me learn how you enjoy the prec- 
ious seasons your husband writes of. 

How does young Henry do? Sweet babe, I should like dearly 
to see him and his mother, also. Sister Spalding has a son. 

Kind regards to your husband and believe me as ever, 

Your affectionate sister, in bonds of Christian love, 

N. Whitman. 



128 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 



Waiilatpu, W. W. River, Oregon Territory, 

Oct. ioth, 



liTory, 1 
1840. f 



My Dear Father: — It does us a great deal of good to receive 
letters from our dear parents, although it is no oftener than once 
in two years. I am sorry my letters are so long in reaching home, 
and can see no good reason for it, especially after they get into 
the States. I write twice a year regularly many letters, but do not 
receive answers to all I write. I am happy to hear that father 
and mother have found a permanent resting place and did not re- 
move to the west. It is a pleasure to me to think of them as sta- 
tionary and not moving about. It does us good to know all the 
particulars about those we love, and we may rest assured that the 
Lord will take care of them, and not leave them to suffer when 
old age is upon them. We have recently heard much about home 
and friends from Mr. and Mrs. Littlejohn, who are now with us. 
She was the Miss Sadler that lived a,^ Brother Hall's, when I left. 
It makes me leel quite acquainted with home scenes once more. 
It is good to associate with warm-hearted revival Christians on?e 
more. We have none in our mission of as high-toned piety as we 
could wish, especially among those who came in our last re-en- 
forcements. They think it is wrong for females to pray in the pres- 
ence of men, and do not allow it even in our small circles here. 
This has been a great trial to me, and I have almost sunk under 
it. Mr. Clark and company have been with us now for nearly 
two mouths past, and we have had many precious seasons of 
prayer and social worship together, which seems like revival sea- 
sons at home that I used to enjoy. 

We wish they had come out under the Board, both for our 
sakes, theirs and the mission cause. We fear they will suffer. At 
any rate, they cannot do any thing at present, and for a good 
while to come, of missionary work, but take care of themselves. 
We hope no more will come in this way. Those who came last 
year got themselves into difficulty when they first started; it in- 
creased all the way, and they still are not reconciled and we fear 
never will be. They are living upon us; have done nothing yet 
but explore a little, and appear to know not what to do, but 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 29 

rather die than to give up their plans and say to the Christian 
world, it is wrong to go out in opposition to the Board. 

Mr. Munger we have employed to finish our house. Men of 
great funds might go into the field and do good, but poor Chris- 
tians cannot, even if they depend upon irresponsible churches. 
What the Lord will do with them we know not. Mrs. Griffin's 
health was poor when she came, and since she has been with us 
this summer she has been quite laid by with spinal complaint. 

But enough of this. Our trials dear father knows but little 
about. The missionaries' greatest trials are but little known to 
the churches. I have never ventured to write about them for 
fear it might do hurt. The man who came with us is one who 
never ought to have come. My dear husband has suffered more 
from him in consequence of his wicked jealousy, and his great 
pique towards me, than can be known in this world. But he suf- 
fers not alone — the whole mission suffers, which is most to be de- 
plored. It has nearly broken up the mission. This pretended 
settlement with father, before we started, was only an excuse, and 
from all we have seen and heard, both during the journey and 
since we have been here, the same bitter feeling exists. His prin- 
cipal aim has been at me; as he has said, "Bring out her charac- 
ter," "Expose her character;" as though I was the vilest creature 
on earth. It is well known I never did anything before I left 
home to injure him, and I have done nothing since, and my hus- 
band is as cautious in speaking and thinking evil of him or treat- 
ing him unkindly, as my own dear father would .be, yet he does 
not, nor has he, received the same kindness from him since we 
have been missionaries together. 

Every mind in the mission that he has had access to, he has 
tried to prejudice against us, and did succeed for a while, which 
was the cause of our being voted to remove and form a new station. 
This was too much for my husband's feelings to bear, and so many 
arrayed against him and for no good reason. He felt as if he 
must leave the mission, and no doubt would have done it, had 
not the Lord removed from us our beloved child. This affliction 
softened his feelings and made him willing to suffer the will of 



I 



130 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

the Lord, although we felt that we were suffering wrongfully. 
The death of our babe had a great affect upon all in the mission; 
it softened their hearts towards us, even Mr. S.'s for a season. I 
never have had any difficulty with his wife; she has treated me 
very kindly to my face, but recently I have learned that she has 
always partook of the feelings of her husband. I have always 
loved her and felt as if no one could speak against her. The Lord 
in His providence has brought things around in such a way, that 
all see and feel where the evil lies, and some of them are writing 
to the Board and proposing measures to have an overture and set- 
tlement made, and it may require his removal or return to effect 
it; not so much for his treatment toward us as some others also. 
A particular charge brought against him is duplicity. It is pain- 
ful for me to write thus concerning us here; and this is but a 
small item of what might be said. I have long had a desire 
to have some few judicious friends know our trials, so that 
they may understand better how to pray for us. If this mission 
fails, it will be because peace and harmony does not dwell among 
its members. Our ardent desire and prayer is that it may not 
fail. It is this state of things among us that discourages us. 
When we look at the people and the providence of God, we are 
more and more encouraged every year. 

Since the return of the Indians this fall, it has seemed as if 
we were on the eve of a revival. Many of the principal Indians are 
deeply affected by the truth; some manifest it by bitter opposi- 
tion, which does not discourage us, although our faith is greatly 
tried. 

19th — Dear Father: — I have been interrupted in writing this 
letter on account of ill health. It affects me unfavorably to write 
much; indeed, I am pretty much confined to my room, which is a 
very comfortable place, the most so of any I have found since I have 
been here. Since writing the above on the morning of the 16th, 
a message arrived and took my husband away as in a moment. 
It was from our Brother Smith, about a hundred and eighty miles 
from here. He wrote that the Indians were asking him to give 
them property and food, and wishing him to pay for the land he oc- 



TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 131 

cupied. He told them he could not say anything about it; they be- 
came very angry and told him to move off to-morrow; he said he 
could not, but they still insisted upon it with great insolence, until 
he was obliged to tell them he would go. Sister Smith writes me 
that they are afraid for their lives and the}- ask for help irumediatelv 
to come and remove them. Husband has gone and expects to be 
obliged to bring them away here. What the result will be the Lord 
only knows. The two principal instigators are brothers to the 
Indian who went to the United States for some one to come and 
teach them, that we read about as the first news west of the Rocky 
mountains. How transient is the missionaries' home. I believe 
we most of us feel that "we have no abiding city here." 

I seldom write home without speaking of one or both of us 
being absent or about to be. We journey a great deal and that, 
with other causes, has nearly worn me out, and my husband, too. 
I cannot say all I should like for want of time and strength. 
Part of the contents of this sheet, ought not to be circulated; it 
may do hurt. I do not wish it made public, for any one to muke 
an ill use of it. 

I am almost discouraged about Marcus ever finding time to 
write many letters to our friends at home; he has written none for 
a year past; he would if he could; he is away now and I do not 
know when he will return. 



I began to write about the state of the people. Of late mv 
heart yearns over them more than usual. They feel so bad, dis- 
appointed, and some of them angry because husband tells them 
that none of them are Christians; that they are all of them in 
the broad road to destruction, and that worshipping will not save 
them. They try to persuade him not to talk such bad talk to 
them, as they say, but talk good talk, or tell some story, or his- 
tory, so that they may have some Scripture names to learn. Some 
threaten to whip him and to destroy our crops, and for a long 
time their cattle were turned into our potato field every night to 



132 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

see if the}- could not compel him to change his course of instruc- 
tion with them. 

These things did not intimidate us; it only drove us to a 
throne of grace with greater earnestness to plead for blessings to 
descend upon them. Our hearts only pant for time to have our 
whole minds given up to instructing them without being distract- 
ed with so many cares which are necessarily upon us, not for our- 
selves so much as for others. It has and still seems as if a rich 
blessing was near at hand for us and them, and sometimes I al- 
most seem to grasp it. Why does the blessing stay ? Is it be- 
cause there is so few hands to labour and there is much rubbish 
to be cleared away? Or is it because of our unbelief and impiety 
of heart? Doubtless, both. O, for more deep and ardent piety in 
every heart; but particularly in my own and husband's. Will 
dear father pray that missionaries may be more holy and heaven- 
ly-minded, and less selfish. Could the churches at home be set 
down in heathen lands and see and know their missionaries as 
they know themselves, O how they would pray for them and feel 
and sympathize with them. 

When will Christians cease to feel that their missionaries 
are such good people that they do not need to feel and pray for 
them as they pray for one another. 

Dear Sister Jane writes that the Lord will do wonders for the 
heathen world this year, and we expect it, too, and may our 
hopes be realized. 

I wish it did not hurt me so to write. I am very weak and 
feeble, and much thinking or excitement overcomes me. I should 
have got well long ago, I think, if it were possible for me to be 
quiet, with so many people about me and so much transpiring. 
Rest is not for us in this world. Dear mother says it seems as 
if she might see us again in this world. I do not know as I have 
such a thought; although it may not be impossible. I have 
long felt it more probable that we should never meet, and 
have thought more of meeting my friends in heaven than in 
this world, unless the Providence of God should make it neces- 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 33 

sary for us to leave the field. Our united choice would be to live 
and die here — to spend our lives for the salvation of this people. 
Yes, dear parents, we have ever been contented and happy, not- 
withstanding all our trials, and let come what will, we had 
rather die in the battle than to retreat, if the Lord will only ap- 
pear for us and remove all that is in the way of His salvation; 
take up every stumbling block out of our hearts and from this 
mission, and prosper His own cause here. Our ardent prayer is y 
Lord let not this mission fail; for our Board says it is the last 
effort they shall make for the poor Indians: — and may the dear 
Christians at home feel to urge up their requests to God in our 
behalf. This is what we need more than anything else. 

Once more, dear father, farewell. The Lord deal gently with 
my beloved parents in the decline of life; support them in deatb, 
and safely house them and us in His presence forever. 

As ever, I remain, your affectionate daughter, 

Narcissa Whitman. 
Hon. Stephen Prentiss, 

Angelica, 

Allegheny County 

New York, U. S. A. 



Waiieatpu, W. W. River, Oregon Territory,! 

Oct. 9th, 1840. j 

My Dear Mother: — I cannot express the satisfaction we en- 
joyed in receiving, beholding and perusing dear mother's own 
letter; her own words and thoughts, written with her own hand. 
It arrived the first of June. An Indian brought it with other 
letters from Walla Walla after dark. We were in bed and had 
just got to sleep when he announced that letters had come. We 
could not wait until morning, but lighted a candle and read 
them. I received no other communications except what was con- 



134 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

tained in that sheet from father, mother and Harriet, from the 
States; but some from the Islands. It was enough to transport 
me in imagination to that dear circle I loved so well, and to pre- 
vent sleep from returning that night. I have long looked and 
longed for something that would seem like conversing with dear 
mother once more, and now it has arrived; I know not how to ex- 
press my gratitude to her for it. O, could my dear parents know 
how much comfort it would be to their solitary children here, 
they would each of them fill out a sheet as often as once a month 
and send it to the Board for us. How I should like to know 
what each of them are doing and how they feel from week to week. It 
would be better to me than books, papers, or clothing. I have 
enough of everything and more than I can find time to read. If 
dear father can afford to pay the postage on my letters home and 
his own and mother's to me as often as I want to hear from them, 
we will be perfectly satisfied. I ask for nothing else. The Beard 
are constantly sending us books and papers and boxes of cloth- 
ing. There are two barrels now at Vancouver for us from Brother 
Judson, and have been since June; also one from Rushville and a 
box from Lysander. I expect we have letters in Brother Judson's 
barrel, which accounts for our not receiving any from them. We 
are looking for them up every day now. In some of my first 
letters I did ask for some clothing to be sent me. It was more 
because Mrs. Hull made me promise to write for what I wanted, 
than because I needed them. I do not need to have dear father 
send me anything, for others do, and what is not sent I can do 
without. We are well provided for; the churches take good care of 
their missionaries. Our chief desire is to be found faithful stew- 
ards in that which is committed to our trust. 

I received a letter in August from Sister Jane written in March. 
I am happy to hear that she and Edward are so wisely engaged. 
Hope they will let nothing interrupt them in their studies until 
E. becomes fitted for the ministry and the missionary field. Jane 
says she has had a call to go to the Sandwich Islands; I am glad 
she does not go. If she goes anywhere single, she must come and 
live with us; shall write to her to that effect. I wrote to father 
and mother in May last and sent them across the mountains; 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 35 

hope they have been received by this time. In that I mentioned 
we were about to start to Colville on a medical visit. Mrs. Walk- 
er has a little daughter — second child. We went and returned 
in little less than three weeks, 130 miles. This is hard riding for 
us. Husband is gone so much of his time and has so many im- 
portant duties at home, being alone, that he feels as if he must 
perform his journeys as rapidly as possible. On our return we 
moved into our new house — find it very comfortable and much 
easier to do our work. Mrs. Munger was confined the 25th of 
June; recovered well — had a daughter. We left immediately for 
Mr. Spalding's to attend the general meeting of the mission. 
Soon after we returned the Lord was pleased again to visit our 
family with sickness and death. Mother will recollect that in the 
spring of 1838 we had a man and his wife sent us from the Sand- 
wich Island (natives) as missionaries. They came to assist us in 
our domestic labours. He was taken sick before we went to the 
meeting, but recovered and he and his wife went with us. He 
was sick and recovered several times, but every relapse brought 
him much lower than before. He died the 8th of August of in- 
flammation of the bowels. Our loss is verv great. He was so 
faithful and kind — always ready and anxious to relieve us of everv 
care, so that we might give ourselves to our appropriate mission- 
ary work — increasingly so to the last. He died as a faithful 
Christian missionary dies — happy to die in the field — rejoiced 
that he was permitted to come and labour for the good of the 
Indians, while his heart was in heaven all the time. Who that 
could witness him in his dying moments and see the calm and 
sweet serenity of his countenance, but what would feel it a priv- 
ilege to be a missionary — to be the means of saving one such soul 
from the midst of heathen darkness. His wife is just so faithful, 
but she is a feeble person. I know not how I could do without 
her; so we feel concerning him. But the Lord saw different. He 
had higher employment for him in heaven. Dear mother, we feel 
that the Lord means something by his repeated affliction; everv 
year we have had a death in our family since we have been here. 
I feel as if it would be our turn soon and we know not how soon. 
In about a month after Joseph's death, 1 was taken with in- 



136 TWENTIETH ANNUAL REUNION 

flam mat ion of the'kidneys and was brought very low. But the Lord 
in mercy raised me up again and I got able to be about in a short 
time; but since that I got down again and have been ever since 
unable to^see to my work. Have been taking medicine now for 
some time and begin to feel as if I should be quite well again; 
but do not expect to be able to engage in teaching again this 
winter. It is quite a trial to be laid aside when so much needs to 
be done. But missionaries wear out quick where they have al- 
ways so much to do, and it will be so, so long as there are so few 
in the field. ' 

We are thronged with company now and have been for some 
time past, and may be through the winter. I often think of 
what mother used to say — "I wish Narcissa would not always 
have so much company." It is well for me now that I have had 
so much experience in waiting upon company, and I can do it 
when necessary without considering it a great task. As we are 
situated, our house is the missionaries' tavern, and we must accom- 
modate more or less the whole time. Mr. Gray and family are 
removed from Lapwai (Mr. Spalding's station) and are now with 
us until they can build anew, or rather until after his wife's con- 
finement. He has an Hawaiian wife lately from the Islands. 
Mr. Griffin and Mr. Munger and their wives, who came out last 
summer as self-supporting missionaries, are here also. In August 
Rev. Mr. Clark, Philo Littlejohn, and Mr. Smith with their wives, 
arrived; they have come independent of the Board, also. We have 
no less than seven missionary families in our two houses. We 
feel that we need much patience and wisdom to get along with 
so many, and much strength. We are in peculiar and somewhat 
trying circumstances in relation to them. We are under the Ameri- 
can Board and the}- have come out in opposition, or in other words to 
try to live independently of the Board. This they will find very diffi- 
cult, or next to impossible to do, and some of them begin to see 
it so. We cannot sell to them, because we are missionaries and 
did not come to be traders; and if we did we should help them to 
establish an opposition Board. But we can give them, and report 
to the Board, which is not so agreeable to them. Their means are 
very limited and they will suffer before they can get help from 



TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 1 37 

the churches, if they have it at all. Those who have come this 
year are excellent people and we wish they were under the Board, 
for we need their labours very much. We should keep Mr. Little- 
john and his wife with us if we had any claim upon them. Ma 
is acquainted with them; he is Augusta's brother. 

What a comfort it is to us that mother and father still live to 
pray for us, and may they long continue to. For they can never 
realize how much grace and wisdom, patience, forbearance 
brotherly kindness, love and charity; yea, every Christian grace,, 
meekness and humility, their daughter needs. 

Once more, dear mother, farewell. 

From your ever affectionate daughter. 

Narcissa. 

P. S. — Your children both send much love. I had hoped that 
ma would have received a letter at this time from her son Mar- 
cus; but it is almost like hoping against hope, so long as his 
cares and duties are so complicated. 



Oct. 20th, 1840. 

My Dear Sister Harriet: — Y r our letter, although short, was 
very good and pleased me much; and now what do you think 
it would have been to me, how much good would it have done 
your brother and me, if it had been a whole sheet and well filled 
as I fill mine. I have written you separately a long letter, and 
one to Edward. You did not tell me that you had received any. 
Always tell me how many letters of mine you have received, and 
what their dates are, and then I shall know if you get all I write 
home. When I write you, I always wish to have you receive them, 
and if I know what you receive, then I shall know what you 
hear from me. 

You did not tell me what you are doing and what company 
you keep; what female meetings you attend, and whether you are 
doing good in the cause of Christ. What books do you read? Do 



138 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

you comfort ma by reading to her such books as Dwight's The- 
ology, Doddridge's Rise and Progress, Milner's Church History, 
etc., as Narcissa used to do in her younger days? What progress 
are you making in the divine life? You see there are many 
things I wish you to tell me — enough to fill more than one sheet. 
I am happy to hear that J. and E. have gone to prepare to become 
missionaries, and that you have a wish to be here with me. I 
should like to have you here very much, and I hope you will pre- 
pare yourself for it. I know dear mother would willingly give 
up Harriet to go to the heathen if the Lord should call her. This 
is what you ought to live for as well as me, for there is nothing 
so desirable. I may send for you yet, and you would do well to 
prepare yourself. I think of proposing to Jane to come and 
teach school here next time I write her. Dear Harriet, honour 
the Saviour every where you go; be entirely devoted to Him. You 
will never regret it. Do write me of ten and fully. Write a little 
oftener and send me more than one sheet a year. It will be good 
for you to cultivate the talent of writing. Yes, do more than I 
used to, and then you will not regret that you did not do it more, 
as I do now when I am obliged to write so often and so much. 
Those of the family that do not write me, I am afraid I shall for- 
get to inquire after them, or write them. You all have more time 
than I, and more strength, too. 

Your dear brother is not at home; if he was he would send 
much love. As it is I send it for him. Think of him traveling 
alone this cold weather. The first after he left his warm home, 
the wind blew very hard and cold, — he with but two blankets, 
sleeping on the ground alone; and since, it has rained almost 
every day, and sometimes snowed a little. I do not know when 
he will come home. 

Farewell, dear Harriet. Pray much for your sister who loves 
you and sends much love to you and all the brothers and sisters. 

Tell me more about Stephen's children and H.'s and E.'s; you 
know, Harriet, mine is dead. Before this I have written all about 
her; tell me if you have seen it. Adieu, 

Your affectionate sister, 

Narcissa. 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 39 



Waii i.aTit, March 2nd, 1S41. 

My Dear Sister: — We are in deep trial and affliction. Our 
Brother Mnnger is perfectly insane and we are tried to know- 
how to get along with him. He claims it as a duty we owe him, 
as the representative of Christ's church, to obey him in all things. 
He is our lawgiver, as Moses was to the children of Israel. Last 
Sabbath was the accomplishment of all things to him — a glorious 
Sabbath; the bringing in of all things — the Judgment Day. 
Brother Perkins will recollect some features in his prayers while 
he was here, which we now see indicated a mind not sound on 
all points. Now don't let your faith in God be staggered by 
what has happened unto him. He has been thinking upon some 
points so long and so deeply that his mind has lost its balance. 
He has been nearly so before, his wife tells me, but not so entire- 
ly gone. Poor Sister M. — her trials are very great. To see him 
die in a happy state of mind would be, comparatively, a light 
affliction. He has been inclining this way so long we see but 
little or no hope he will ever be any better. 

When your husband left us we -were all of us at work with 
our own hearts to get them right for the blessing of God upon 
us. He was pleased to show some of us our hearts; at least me mine 
as I never saw it before, and I trust it has been a profitable lesson to 
me. The work seemed to go on gradually and we hope effectually, 
but frequently during this time we all felt our feelings destroyed 
by Brother Munger's prayers, and ventured to speak to him of it, 
but to our surprise he did not receive it with that Christian 
meekness and improvement we expected in him, but appeared to 
be more and more strengthened in his preconceived notions and 
feelings of himself, until he plainly convinced us by his strange 
actions that he was deranged. 

Efforts have been made by my husband and Mr. Gray to re- 
store him, but all prove ineffectual. He sent to be present at our 
family worship this morning, but we felt it would be no wor- 
ship and deferred his coming until after, and now he is waiting 



140 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

for his troops to come in who, some of them, appear very unwill- 
ing to obey orders. 

Brother Littlejohn has gone to see Mr. Clark at Mr. Smith's. 
We are expecting his return this week, also Mr. C. What will be 
done with him, we know not, but preparations must be made to 
take him home, if possible. 

Do pray for his afflicted wife, and may the Lord teach us all 
a lesson for our profit, and show us the debt of gratitude we owe 
him for the merciful preservation of our reason to us. 

I could say much more, but I have snatched this moment to 
write what I have, and must close. 

Give much love to the Sisters Brewer and Lee, if with you. 

Affectionately your sister in Christ, 



N. Whitman. 



Mrs. Elvira Perkins, 

Wascopum. 



Waiilatpu, May 30th, 1841. 
My Dear Brother Edward: — Yesterday Mr. Ermatinger left us 
to go to Fort Hall and the Rendezvous, and we sent our package 
of letters to our friends by him. There being still another oppor- 
tunity of writing, I embrace it for tomorrow. Husband is to send 
an Indian to overtake him on account of some business forgotten 
to be attended to while he was here. Mr. and Mrs. Munger, who 
I hope you will see, left more than three weeks ago with the main 
party who have the goods, and Mr. E. is to overtake them. 

Since writing Jane's letter, much has transpired of interest to 
us. Mr. Pambrun, of whom you have often heard me speak, re- 
ceived an injun- while riding out a little way from his fort by 
his horse losing the rope out of his mouth and running and surg- 
ing, which threw him repeatedly upon the horn of his saddle and 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 141 

finally upon the ground. He was so bruised and maimed in the 
abdomen, that he was unable to move and was carried to the house 
on blankets. He died in four days after the injury, a most pain- 
ful death. He died as he lived, saying that he was a Christian, 
but giving no evidence that he was one in heart. He was a Ro- 
man Catholic. Your brother went and stayed with him during his 
sickness until he died. He was so anxious to die to be relieved 
from pain and suffering, that he plead with the doctor to give him 
something to stupefy him so that he might die quick. When he 
was in the last agonies he insisted on having an emetic given him 
ana when he could not prevail on the doctor or Mr. Rogers, who 
was with him when he was hurt and sick, he sent for his men to 
take him and carry him out so that he might get it himself, but 
he did not succeed and gave up to die without it. 

His poor familv feel the loss very much; he was their main 
support; had nine children, the youngest an infant three weeks 
old. His wife is a half-breed. He gave me his little daughter, 
Harriet, the one named just before he died. We know not what 
the Lord means by this providence, but we hope good will result 
to His cause and his afflictions may be sanctified to the living. 

Dear brother, this is the Sabbath day. At this time you are 
doubtless engaged in the worship of God in the sanctuary, a priv- 
ilege I once enjoyed, but now am deprived of. Our minds suffer 
for the want of such privileges. Yet in our deprivation we have 
our enjoyments, for we can worship God in our own dwellings 
and find Him here present with us. At times the special presence 
of His Holy Spirit appears to be manifest, and he seems to be 
reaching down His hand filled with blessings to this dying people. 
The work is a great work; but how few and feeble are the labourers 
already in the field. Our earnest prayer is that more labourers 
might be sent to aid us in our work; men after God's own heart, 
and not easily discouraged. 

The present is a time of unusual quiet — not an Indian is to be 
seen about us all are scattered in little groups far and near, dig- 
ging their kamas root, and taking salmon. Here is the mission- 



142 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

ary's trial in this country. The people are with him so little of 
the time, and they are so scattered that he cannot go with them, 
for but few are in a place. Notwithstanding our discouragements, 
I feel that we would not be situated differently if we could. We 
would not be out of the field for any consideration whatever, so 
long as the Lord has any work for us to do here. I wish Jane was 
here to help me. When I hear from you again I shall know what 
to do about sending to the Board to have her come, if Edward can 
spare her and will still go on with his studies. I hope you will 
remember what I have written to you in the other letter, and do 
as I have asked you to do, for your own sake as well as mine. You 
seem to be very near to us. It is almost June now, and I hope 
this letter will reach you in safety and speedily. Mrs. Littlejohn 
has become the mother of a fine Oregon boy; they will go home 
now as soon as they can get an opportunity by ship. Whether 
you see them or not, after they return I know not. Many others 
are getting discouraged and wishing to leave, and others are great- 
ly disappointed in the country. I went to Walla Walla two weeks 
ago to attend Mr. P.'s funeral and spent about two weeks with 
the family. They sent for rne to come home, for Mrs. Littlejohn 
was sick, but I did not get home until her babe was born. She is 
doing well and her babe also. 

Dear Jane, I hear much of your watching and taking care of 
the sick. Do be more careful of your own health; I fear for you; 
you will wear out too soon. I have not been able to do much such 
work since I have been here. 

Your brother often speaks of you and has intended to write 

you both, but has been pulled this way and that, so that he has 

not had time. Adieu; our love to you both. I have not written 

to pa and ma, as I intended, but husband has, which you may 

read if you see Mrs. Munger. 

Your sister, 

N. Whitman. 

Dear Sister Jane: — It would be a pleasure to see you, and I am 
meditating how it could be, as you have come almost half way. 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 143 

I was just telling Narcissa what an interest I had taken in your- 
self ever since I was introduced to you at your father's house by 
Mr. Hamilton at the close of a prayer meeting. That was the first 
introduction to the family. From that moment my heart has 
been towards the family. But you smile, I suppose, and say it 
was Narcissa; no, it was Jane; Narcissa was in Butler. I presume 
you will have no recollection of the introduction; if so, let it rest 
on my recollection, which is vivid. I trust you are happily em- 
ployed in aiding Edward. It is a noble work. Encourage him 
to study and toil. Tell him to finish his education before he gives 
his mind any liberty to rove. Let usefulness be his motto. Ob- 
stacles can be overcome. With much love to you both, 

Your brother, 

Marcus Whitman. 

I would send you some specimens of the country if it were 
not so difficult to pack them across the mountains. 

May 17th, 1842. — I send this for the scrap my dear husband 
has written you, more than for what I have written. It may do 
you good to get even that from him who is so dear to your sister 
and to you, I trust. It was returned last spring, and I could not 
send it by ship. Rogers has just said that he would call on you, 
so that you can ask him as many questions as you can think of, 
and if he returns you can send by him next spring. 

Adieu, dear E. Your sister, 

N. W. 



WAIJXA.TPU, March 1st, 1842. 

My Dear Jane and Ed-ward: — I was busy all the forenoon in 
preparing my husband for his departure. He left about two 
o'clock p. m. to go on a professional visit to3rother Walker's, and 
I am once more left alone in this house with no other company 
than my two little half-breed girls, Mary Ann Bridger and Helen 
Mar Meek. Since he left I have copied a letter of one sheet and 



144 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

a half for him to Brother Spalding and written a short one to 
Sister S., besides, which kept me until nearly dark, although I 
wrote with all my might, for we had detained an Indian who 
was going that way, to take them, and before I could get them 
completed he began to be quite impatient. I, however, pacified 
him by giving him something to eat to beguile his time, and 
when he left gave him a good piece of bread to eat on the way. 
The Indians do us many favours in this way, and get as many 
from us in return, for they are always glad of something from us 
to eat on the way. Since I got my letters off I regulated my 
house some, got my own and little girl's supper and some toast 
and tea for a sick man who has been here a few days, from Walla 
Walla to be doctored; attended family worship and put my little 
girls to bed, and have set me down to write a letter to Jane and 
Edward, my dear brother and sister that I left at home in Angel- 
ica more than six years ago. Since or just as I seated myself to 
write, Brother Gray came in to get some medicine for the sick 
man. He is in Packet's lodge a few steps from the door, and he 
is the man who attends to my wants, such as milking, getting 
water, wood, etc. He is a half-breed from the east side of the 
mountains and was brought up at Harmony mission, but came 
to the mountains about eight years ago and has since become a 
Catholic. Brother Gray has built him a new house and it is 
quite a piece from us. Thus lonely situated, what would be the 
enjoyment to me if E. and J. would come in and enjoy my soli- 
tude with me. Surely solitude would quickly vanish, as it almost 
appears to, even while I am writing. Jane, I wish you were here 
to sleep with me, I am such a timid creature about sleeping alone 
that sometimes I suffer considerably, especially since my health 
has been not very good. It, however, gives me the opportunity 
for the exercise of greater trust and confidence in my heavenly 
protector in whose hands I am always safe and happy when I 
feel myself there. My eyes are much weaker than when I left 
home and no wonder, I have so much use for them. I am at 
times obliged to use the spectacles Brother J. G. so kindly fur- 
nished me. I do not know what I could do without them; so 
much writing as we have to do, both in our own language and 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 145 

the Nez Perces; and, besides, we have no waj' to feast our minds 
with knowledge necessary for health and spirituality without 
reading, and here the strength of the eyes are taxed again. 

Out of compassion to my eyes and exhausted frame, dear 
ones, I must bid you good-night. You may hear from me to- 
morrow, perhaps, if I am not interrupted with company. 

2d — After attending to the duties of the morning, and as I was 
nearly done hearing my children read, two native women came 
in bringing a miserable looking child, a boy between three and 
four years old, and wished me to take him. He is nearly naked, 
and they said his mother had thrown him away and gone off 
with another Indian. His father is a Spaniard and is in the 
mountains. It has been living with its grandmother the winter 
past, who is an old and adulterous woman and has no compas- 
sion for it. Its mother has several others by different white men, 
and one by an Indian, who are treated miserably and scarcely 
subsist. My feelings were greatly excited for the poor child and 
felt a great disposition to take him. Soon after the old grand- 
mother came in and said she would take him to Walla Walla 
and dispose of him, there and according^- took him away. Some 
of the women who were in, compassionated his case and followed 
after her and would not let her take him away, and returned 
with him again this eve to see what I would do about him. I 
told her I could not tell because my husband was gone. What I 
fear most is that after I have kept him awhile some of his rela- 
tives will come and take him away and my labour will be lost or 
worse than lost. I, however, told them they might take him 
away and bring him again in the morning, and in the meantime I 
would think about is. The care of such a child is very great at 
first — dirty, covered with bod}' and head lice and starved — his 
clothing is apart of a skin dress that does not half cover his 
nakedness, and a small bit of skin over his shoulders. 

Helen was in the same condition when I took her, and it was 
a long and tedious task to change her habiits, young as she was, 
but little more than two years old. She was so stubborn and fret- 



146 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

ful and wanted to cry all the time if she could not have her own 
way. We have so subdued her that now she is a comfort to us, 
although she requires tight reins constantly. 

Mary Ann is of a mild disposition and easily governed and 
makes but little trouble. She came here last August. Helen 
has been here nearly a year and a half. The Lord has taken our 
own dear child away so that we may care for the poor outcasts of 
the country and suffering children. We confine them altogether 
to English and do not allow them to speak a word of Nez 
Perces. 

Read a portion of the Scriptures to the women who were in 
today, and talked awhile with them. Baked bread and crackers 
today and made two rag babies for my little girls. I keep them 
in the house most of the time to keep them away from the na- 
tives, and find it difficult to employ their time when I wish to 
be engaged with the women. They have a great disposition to 
take a piece of board or a stick and carry it around on their 
backs, if I would let them, for a baby, so I thought I would make 
them something that would change their taste a little. You won- 
der, I suppose, what looking objects Narcissa would make. No 
matter how they look, so long as it is a piece of cloth rolled up 
with eyes, nose and mouth marked on it with a pen, it answers 
every purpose. They caress them and carr)' them about the room 
at a great rate, and are as happy as need be. So much for my 
children. 

I have not told you that we have a cooking stove, sent us 
from the Board, which is a great comfort to us this winter, and 
enables me to do my work with comparative ease, now that I 
have no domestic help. 

We have had but very little snow and cold this winter in this 
valley. The thermometer has not been lower than 20 below- 
freezing; but in every direction from us there has been an unu- 
sual quantity of snow, and it still remains. Husband expects to 
find snow beyond the Snake river, which he would cross today 
if he has been prospered, and may perhaps be obliged to make 
snow shoes to travel with. Last night was a very windy night, 



TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 147 

and the same today, but it is still now. Brother Walker is situ- 
ated directly north of us, so that it is not likely that the snow 
will decrease any in going. It is uncertain when he will return 
if prospered and not hindered with the snow. He expects to be 
gone only four weeks. May the Lord preserve and return him in 
afety and in His own time, and keep me from anxiety concern- 
ing him. Goodnight, J. and E. 

3d. — Dear Jane, this has been washing day, and I have cleaned 
house some; had a native woman to help me that does the hard- 
est part. I am unable to do my heavy work and have been for 
two years past. 

This evening an Indian has been in who has been away all 
winter. I have been reading to him the fifth chapter of Matthew. 
Every word of it seemed to sink deep into his heart; and O may 
it prove a savour of life to his soul. He thinks he is a Christian, 
but we fear to the contrary. His mind is somewhat waked up 
about his living with two wives. I would not ease him any, but 
urged him to do his duty. Others are feeling upon the subject, 
particularly the women; and why should the}- not feel? — they are 
the sufferers. 

The little boy was brought to me again this morning and I 
could not shut my heart against him. I washed him, oiled 
and bound up his wounds, and dressed him and cleaned his head 
of lice. Before he came his hair was cut close to his head and a 
strip as wide as your finger was shaved from ear to ear, and also 
from his forehead to his neck, crossing the other at right angles. 
This the boys had done to make him look ridiculous. He had a 
burn on his foot where they said he had been pushed into the fire 
for the purpose of gratifying their malicious feelings, and because 
he was friendless. He feels, however, as if he had got into a 
strange place, and has tried to run away once or twice. He will 
soon get accustomed, I think, and be happy, if I can keep him 
away from the native children. So much about the boy Marshall. 
I can write no more tonight. 



148 TWENTIETH ANNUAL REUNION 

4th. — There has been almost constant high wind ever since 
husband left and increasingly cold. Feel considerably anxious 
concerning him, lest the deep snow and cold may make his jour- 
ney a severe one. At the best it is very wearing to nature to 
travel in this country. He never has been obliged to encounter so 
much snow before, and I do not know how it will affect him. He 
is a courageous man, and it is well that he is so to be a physician 
in this country.. Common obstacles never affect hirn; he goes 
ahead when duty calls. Jane and Edward, you know but little 
about your brother Marcus, and all I can tell you about him at 
this time is that he is a bundle of thoughts. 

Met this afternoon for a female prayer meeting; only two of 
us — Sister Gray and myself — yet they are precious seasons to us, 
especially when Jesus meets with us, as He often does. I am 
blessed with a lovely sister and an excellent associate in Sister 
Gray, and I trust that I am in some measure thankful, for I have 
found by experience that it is not good to be alone in our cares 
and labours. 

9th. — Last evening received a letter from Sister Walker dated 
Feb. 21st, in which she expresses some fears lest husband should 
not arrive in season on account of the deep snow. The probabil- 
ity is that he has had as much as one day on snow shoes if not 
more. We are having our winter now, both of cold and snow. 
During the last twenty-four hours there has been quite a heavy 
fall of snow in the valley, and it is doubtless doubled in the 
mountains. 

Last eve I spent at Bro. Gray's, after the monthly concert. 
We opened some boxes that have just arrived from the Board to 
the mission, containing carding, spinning and weaving appara- 
tus, clothing and books. Our goods often get wet in coming up 
the river, and we are often obliged to open, dry and repack again. 
We have abundant evidence that our Christian friends in the 
States have not forgotten us, by the donations we receive from 
time to time. My work last eve was such cold and damp work 
that it gave me many rheumatic pains all night, and besides it 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 49 

took us so long that [ feel unable to write much more tonight. 
There is still another evening's work of the same kind, which 
must be done as soon as tomorrow. We take the eve because Bro. 
G. has so much labour during the day, and then our children are 
all in bed. Goodnight, Jane. 

9th. — While I was thinking about preparing to retire to rest 
last eve, Bro. Gray came in to see if I could go over and see and 
aid in the arrangement of the other boxes. I finally mustered 
courage to go, because they were anxious to have it out of the 
way. Found it an easier job than was expected, because there 
was but one that needed drying. 

Attended maternal meeting this afternoon. Sister G. and I 
make all the effort our time and means will permit to edify and 
instruct ourselves in our responsible maternal duties. Read this 
p. m. the report of the New York City Association for 1840, and 
what a feast it was to us! It is a comforting thought to us in a 
desert land to know that we are so kindly remembered by sister 
Associations in our beloved land. But the constant watch and 
care and anxiety of a missionary mother cannot be known by 
them except by experience. Sister G. has two of her own and I 
have three half-breeds. 1 believe I feel all the care and watchful- 
ness over them that I should it they were my own. I am sure 
they are a double tax upon my patience and perseverance, partic- 
ularly Helen; she wants to rule everyone she sees. She keeps me 
on guard continually lest she should get the upper hand of me. 
The little boy appears to be of a pretty good disposition, and I 
think will be easy to govern. He proves to be younger than I 
first thought he was; he is not yet three years old — probably he 
is the same age Helen was when she came here. His old grand- 
mother has been in to see him today, but appears to have no dis- 
position to take him. She wanted I should give her something 
to eat every now and then, because I had got the child to live 
with me and take care of, also old clothes and shoes. So it is 
with them; the moment you do them a favour you place yourself 
under lasting obligations to them and must continue to give to 
keep their love strong towards you. I make such bungling work 



150 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

of writing this eve I believe I will stop, for I can scarcely keep 
my head up and eyes open. So good night, J., for you do not 
come to sleep with me, and I must content myself with Mary 
Ann. 

nth. — Dear Jane, I am sick tonight and in much pain — have 
been scarcely able to crawl about all day. The thought comes 
into my mind, how good to be relieved of care and to feel the 
blessing of a sympathizing hand administering to the necessities 
of a sick and suffering body, and whose presence would greatly 
dispel the gloom that creeps over the mind in spite of efforts to 
the contrary. But I must not repine or murmur at the dealings 
of my Heavenly Father with me, for he sees it necessary thus to 
afflict me that His own blessed image may be perfected in me. 
O, what a sinful, ungrateful creature I am — proud and disobedi- 
ent. I wonder and admire the long-suffering patience of God 
with me, and long to be free from sin so that I shall grieve Him 
no more. But there is rest in heaven to the weary and wayworn 
traveler, and how blessed that we may "hope to the end for the 
grace that shall be given unto us at the revelation of Jesus 
Christ." Pray for us, J. and E., for we need your prayers daily. 
Goodnight. 

12th. — I would that I could describe to you what I have felt 
and passed through since writing the above. Before I could get 
to bed last night I was seized with such severe pains in my stom- 
ach and bowels that it was with difficulty that I could straighten 
myself. I succeeded in crawling about until I got something to 
produce perspiration, thinking it might proceed from a cold, and 
went to bed. About two o'clock in the morning Sister Gray sent 
for me, for she was sick and needed my assistance. When I was 
waked I was in a profuse perspiration. What to do I did not 
know. Neither of them knew that I was sick the day before. I 
at last concluded that I would make the effort to go, casting my- 
self for preservation on the mercy of God. Mr. Cook, the man 
who came after me, made a large fire for me in my room, and I 
was enabled to dress and dry myself without getting cold, the 
weather having moderated some from what it was a few days ago. 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 151 

I bundled myself pretty well and went with Mr. C.'s assistance, 
for I felt but very little better able to walk than I did the evening 
before, yet not in so much pain. When I arrived the babe was 
born, and Bro. Gray was washing it. In the meantime, after they 
were informed how I was, the}- sent me word not to come if I 
was not able. I took the babe and dressed it, and have been there 
all day with my children, although I have not been able to sit 
up all day. Both mother and babe are comfortable tonight, and 
I have come home to spend the night and Sabbath, leaving Mr. 
G. with the care of them tomorrow. They have a good Hawaiian 
woman, which is a great mercy. 

Sab. Eve., 13th — Was kept awake last night by the headache 
considerably, and it has continued most of the day. Bro. G.'s 
house is very open, and the change from ours affects me unfav- 
ourably generally. Notwithstanding feeble health, this Sabbath 
has been a precious day to me. A quiet resting upon God is eve- 
ry thing, both in sickness and in health. My heart cries, O, for 
sanctifying grace that I may not become hardened under afflic- 
tion. 

14th. — I have this day entered upon my thirty-fifth year, and 
had my dear Alice C. been alive she would have been five years 
old, for this was her birthday as well as mine. Precious trust! 
she was taken away from the evil to come. I would not have it 
otherwise now. All things are for the best, although we may not 
see it at the time. Spent the day with Sister G., although not 
able to do much. Have been taking medicine and feel some bet- 
ter this eve, and hope to be better still tomorrow. 

15th — Have been with Sister Gray all day. There is so much 
there and all around us to call forth feelings of sympathy* and 
care, that I have been so excited all day as not to scarcely realize 
my own state of health until I retire from it, and then I find my- 
self completely exhausted. Thus it is that the missionary is so 
soon worn out, and his health fails and he is obliged to leave the 
field. He constantly sees work enough for his utmost time and 
strength, and much, very much that must remain undone for the 



152 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

1 

want of hands to do it. We feel a merciful and timely relief in 
the association of Bro. and Sister Gray in our labours at this station. 
Had we continued much longer without help we should have been 
obliged, both of us without doubt, to have retired from the field 
as invalids. Yet still there is just as much as we all can possibly 
do, and more, too, for every year brings increased labours and de- 
mands upon us, and doubtless will continue to if there is much 
emigration to this country. 

Edward, if you are thinking to become a missionary, you 
would do well to write a sermon on the word PATIENCE every 
day. Study well its meaning; hold fast on to patience and never 
let go, thinking all thetime that you will have more need of her by 
and by than ever you can have while you remain at home. But 
I must stop before I exhaust myself, and gain strength for the 
duties of the morrow by rest. 

21st — It will be three weeks tomorrow since dear husband 
left, and I am feeling tonight almost impatient for his return. 
It has been stormy and cold every day since he left. Indeed, we 
have had our winter in this month, and now the rivers are so high 
that it is almost impossible to cross them without swimming. I 
feel that the Lord has mercifully and tenderly sustained and kept 
me from anxious feelings about him thus far during his absence. 
Doubtless he has suffered much, but the Lord will preserve, I hope, 
and return him again to me, filled with a lively sense of His 
goodness to us continually. The Indians feel his absence very 
much, especially Sabbaths. They are here so short a time they 
do not like to have him gone. 

Today I have had the care of Sister G.'s two children and my 
three* which has been a hard day's work for me. I am more and 
more pleased with my little boy every day. He is so mild and 
quiet, and so happy in his new situation that I have not had the 
least regret that I took him in. He is learning to talk English 
extremely well- -much faster than my two girls did. The second 
Sabbath he went about the room saying, "I must not work, I 
must not work," and also a part of a line of a hymn he had heard 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 53 

us sing, "Lord teach a little child to pray," — all that he could say 
was, "a child to pray, a child to pray." He is learning to sing, 
also; he seems to have a natural voice, and learns quick. I think 
husband will have no objections to keeping him when he sees 
what a promising boy he is. 

Sister Gray is recovering very fast; she came out into the 
kitchen yesterday to supper, and today she has dressed her babe, 
which is but ten days old. She took the advantage of me and 
dressed it before I could get over there this morning. She was 
going about her own room before it was a week old. Perhaps you 
will think we do as the natives do when we are among natives. 
She certainly is very well, and we ought to be very thankful, and 
I trust we are. We all see so much to do that it is difficult to 
keep still when it is possible to stir. So goodnight, J. and R., for 
my sheet is full. 

26th — Husband arrived today about noon, to the joy of all the 
inhabitants of Waiilatpu. Mr. Eells came with him. His jour- 
ney was prosperous beyond our most sanguine expectations, for 
the day that he would have been obliged to take snow shoes was 
so cold that by taking the morning very early they went on the 
top of the snow and arrived there in safety the Saturday after he 
left here. Sister Walker has a son, born on the 16th, four days 
after the birth of Sister Gray's. They call him Marcus Whitman. 
So it is, dear J. and E., that the Lord cares for and preserves us; 
and it seemed more than ever as if He sustained me from anxiety 
and gave me a spirit of prayer for him, and answered prayer in 
his safe return with improved health; and O, may the lives which 
He does so mercifully preserve, be devoted more entirely to His 
service. 

Bro. Eells came for his boxes and will return next week. We 
are cheered with an occasional visit from one and another, which 
is a source of comfort to us in our pilgrimage here. 

This sheet is full, and if you have trouble to read it, say so, 

and I will not do so again. 

Your sister, 

N. Whitman. 



154 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 



WaiilaTpu, July 22nd,i842. 

My Dear Mrs. Brezcer: — I find the perusal of the Memoirs of 
Mrs. Smith so deeply interesting to myself, that I desire to ask 
the privilege of sending it, with your permission, to the different 
sisters of this mission, as one or two of them have begged the 
reading of it. It is most too precious a morsel to be enjoyed 
alone in this desert land. As I am unable to write to Sister 
Perkins this opportunity, I will just say I forward by this con- 
veyance a few numbers of the New York Observer, containing 
several pieces from Dr. Humphries' pen on Education, which she 
requested in her last letter to me. We value them much and 
desire to preserve them. 

I am happy to hear of your prosperity in the addition to 
your family of a little daughter. May she live long to cheer and 
bless you with her sweet smiles. 

Hoping for the pleasure of receiving a letter from you, I am, 
dear sister, yours in Christian love. 

Narcissa Whitman. 
Mrs. H. B. Brewer, 

Wascopum. 



Waskopum, March nth, 1843. 

My Dear Harriet: — I have just been reading your letter, writ- 
ten more than two years ago. I have been thinking all day of 
writing you, but can scarcely find courage enough; even now, I 
feel more like taking my bed rather than writing, much as I long 
to commune with you. 

From a letter I received last fall from Mr. Dixon, I learn that 
my dear Harriet is now both a wife and a mother. Tender and 
endearing relations! May you ever prove worthy of the confidence 
and affection of your husband, and a tender, wise and judicious 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 55 

mother, and never forget that you are training immortal spirits 
for an eternal world. If you have never read " Alcott's Young 
Wife and Young Mother," I beg you will procure and read them. 
You will derive great benefit from them. You cannot begin too 
soon to study your duty as a mother. It is a responsible station, 
and doubtless you feel it to be so. Be sure and make it your busi- 
ness to train them for the Lord, and hold them not as yours, but 
His, to be called away at His bidding. This is an interesting theme 
to me. 

When you write, please tell me about your maternal associa- 
tion. I want to know all about them, and how the cause prospers. 
We have an association here consisting of the missionary mothers 
and two native mothers, who are the wives of the gentlemen of 
this country. We find it a great comfort to meet together, to pray 
and sympathise with and for each other in this desert land where 
we have so few privileges. Please remember me to your associa- 
tion, and solicit an interest in the prayers of those praying mothers 
for the missionary mothers of Oregon. 

I hope by this time you have had a good visit with your bro- 
ther Marcus. I presume it has been a short one. Tell me, you 
that have enjoyed the sweets of connubial bliss long enough to 
know the happiness it affords, how would you like to be so wide- 
ly separated and for so long a time. Think you, it is no trial, no 
sacrifice of feeling? For what would you be willing to make such 
a sacrifice? Is there anything in this lower world that would tempt 
you to it? I presume not; at least I can see no earthly inducement 
sufficiently paramount to cause me voluntarily to take upon my- 
self such a painful trial. Painful, I say? yes, painful in the ex- 
treme to the natural heart. But there is one object, our blessed 
Saviour, for whose sake, I trust, both you as well as we are willing 
if called to it, to suffer all things. It was for Him, for the advance- 
ment of His cause, that I could say to my beloved husband, "Go; 
take all the time necessary to accomplish His work; and the Lord 
go with and bless you." Sacrifice made for Him will not go unre- 
warded. Believe me, this same Heavenly Friend so manifests 
himself to me, sustains, upholds, and comforts me, and that, too, 



156 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

almost continually as to enable me to "glory in tribulation," yea 
to rejoice that I am counted worthy to suffer for His sake. He 
has been preparing me for the self-denial for some time past, and 
no time more effectually than when he was pleased to take my 
beloved child from me. Once I could not have borne it without 
the same measure of grace I now enjoy. But blessed be His Holy 
Name, it is from Him I receive all things, and I desire to be whol- 
ly consecrated to Him. I feel that I am nothing — Jesus is my all, 
His righteousness alone I plead; in Him my guilty soul expects 
to find a full and free salvation. 

I hope the hand and the heart that has got possession of my 
beloved Harriet's will please accept of a sister's love, although we 
have never been privileged with an acquaintance, and may never 
meet in this world. Ma}- I not hope to receive letters from you 
both, and frequently, too? Can such a thing be under the sun 
that my husband will prevail on you to come to Oregon to spend 
your days? I know you would say, I cannot leave pa and ma to go 
so far. 

Give much love to sister C. and her husband; tell her to please 

consider this as written to her, if I am unable to write her by 

this opportunity. I think of sister Mary Ann as being a guardian 

angel to me sometimes. When shall I be one to you? I think 

sometimes it will not be long. Again I send love to J. G. and all 

the family. Many kisses for all the babies. 

Your affectionate sister, 

Narcissa. 
Mrs. John W. Jackson, 

Cuba, Allegheny Co., 

New York, U. S. A. 



Fort George, August nth, 1843. 

My Dear Parents: — I .am now at the mouth of the Columbia 
river. I came down with Rev. Daniel Lee of Waskopum, where I 
spent the last winter, and Mr. Leslie. He and his family are ex- 



TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 1 57 

peering to leave in the ship, that is now on its way down the river, 
for the States. Doctor Babcock and his family of the same mis- 
sion are going on the same vessel to the Islands, also Mr. Frost 
and family are leaving the missionary field, by the same opportu- 
nity and going home. Thus one after another of our Methodist 
brethren leave the country and go to the States. This is very dis- 
couraging to those who remain. Some of our number have done 
the same; — Mr. Smith and Mr. Gray and their families. Ministe- 
rial and missionary work is increasing in the country, and the la- 
bourers are decreasing. 

My beloved parents may think it strange that I should wan- 
der about the country so much when my dear husband is absent. 
The Lord is very merciful and of great kindness to me in 
showing me so many favours in my lonely situation. It serves to 
occupy my mind and keeps me from undue anxiety concerning 
him; and besides this, journeying is beneficial to my health. I 
have come down to enjoy the benefit of a sea breeze, and visit the 
mission station at Clatsop on the Pacific coast. I am now enjoy- 
ing a friendly visit in the family of Mr. Birnie at this fort. When 
the ship leaves I shall accompany Rev. Jason Lee to Clatsop, where 
I expect to spend a few days and return with Mr. Lee and Mr. 
Leslie to the Willamette and finish my visit there. Everywhere 
I go I find attention and kindness far more than I deserve. I be- 
lieve I wrote to pa and ma while I was at Wascopum. I left them 
and went up the river in the company's boats in charge of Mr. 
Grant, the first of April, and arrived in safety after a voyage of 
five days. I went home and arranged affairs, attended upon the 
company of Doctor White and his party, which consisted of Revs. 
Hinds and Perkins, who came up to hold a meeting with the In- 
dians. When the meeting closed I accompanied them to Walla 
Walla, and on the first day of June left there in the brigade for 
Vancouver, Mrs. McKiolay accompanying me. In coming, Dr. 
White recommended me to the attention of Dr. Barclay, an emi- 
nent physician of the fort. I remained there about two months 
and attended faithfully to his directions; feeling it is a great fa- 
vour to have so good an opportunity to attend to my health, and 
to be so free from care and labour. I left two of the children in 



158 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

the care of Mrs. Littlejohn and Mrs. Eells. Helen I have with me 
About the last of July, I went to the Willamette Falls and spent 
most of my time in the families of Mr. Abernethy and Mr. Waller. 
The latter one says he knew pa well ; his circuit was in that region 
and he resided in Friendship. Last Monday, at sundown, I left 
them to come down the river to see the mission families leave. 

It is very trying to part with dear Brother and Sister Lee. I 
have enjoyed such sweet social religious privileges with them the 
past winter that I feel very much endeared to them. I cannot feel 
very willing to have them go. It is but very recently that they have 
talked and made up their minds to go, and it was very surprising 
to us. They are pious, devoted missionaries, but Mrs. Lee's health 
has failed, and they feel it their duty to go home. They were from 
the New England states and very probably pa and ma will not see 
them. Brother Lee says he will write to pa when he gets home 
for me. I send this by him. Doctor Babcock goes to the Islands 
to return again; it is possible he may not. He is from Avoca. I 
do not know when I shall see my dear husband again. I hope in 
a few weeks to receive letters from him and then I shall know 
when to expect him. The Lord be merciful to me and return him 
to my arms again in peace. I forbear to think much of the future, 
but rest it with the Lord. I have written this very poorly. The 
house is full of company and it is difficult to keep my thoughts. 
My most dearly beloved and excellent parents, please accept of my 
heartfelt thanks for all your love and kindness to me, and be as- 
sured of the sincere, devoted love of your unworthy daughter, 

Narcissa. 
Hon. Stephen Prentiss, 

Cuba, Allegheny Co., 

New York, U. S. A. 



Waskopum, March 31st, 1843. 

My Dear Brother: — Why is it that I never receive a letter 
from you? Have you no time to write, or have you forgotten me? 



TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 1 59 

I will not think it; not that you do not love me, for this would 
make me unhappy. Could you see my heart and know how 
much I love and think of you and sympathize with you, should I 
not receive a communication from you and thus be assured of your 
love and remembrance of me? It is not for the want of a heart 
that I do not write more and oftener to all my brothers and sisters, 
but for the want of health and strength to do it. Now I am de- 
prived of the society of my beloved husband, I realize more than 
ever your situation; yet not its keeneat pang, for ourselves is 
a voluntary and temporary separation, while yours is — I hardly 
know whatto call it — an unwilling and unnecessary separation, at 
least on your part; yet I hope not a perpetual one. O that I could 
hear that you were once more united and happy in all thesweets of 
domestic bliss, for they are many, and when giveu us from the 
Lord, how we should prize them. Those are tender ties to be 
separated and hang bleeding all our life, but the Lord permits us 
thus to be afflicted. We should lean on Him for support. And 
may you, dear brother, realize as much of the blessed Saviour's 
gracious presence as I do in my lonely situation, and have it con- 
tinued to you constantly. I, too, kuow the blessed effects of 
affliction to purify the heart and sanctify the soul; and, notwith- 
standing their keen smart and writhing pang, yet it is good to be 
afflicted; they are choice mercies to us, for when He has tried us, 
my brother, we shall come forth as gold. Our greatest care should 
be, not to murmur or complain of His trying dispensations to- 
wards us, but feel always more anxious to have them sanctified to 
us than to be delivered from them — for then "patience will have 
her perfect work." 

O what would I give could I see you, for then I could pour a 
full heart into your bosom; but you have seen my better self, I 
hope, and enjoyed a sweet visit with him, for me as well as for 
him. You will write me, I know, by him, You will doubtless 
see my letter to father and mother. I have given the particulars 
of the past to them. 

Recently, intelligence has come to us from above that the In- 
dians are talking and making preparations for war. The visit of 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 160 

the government's agent last fall has caused considerable excite- 
ment. All decisive measures and language used to them they 
construe into threats, and say war is declared and they intend 
to be prepared. They have heard many unwise remarks which 
have been made by designing persons, especially a half-breed 
that came up with the agent last fall. Such as troops are coming 
into the river this spring and are corning up with Dr. White to 
fight them. It is the Kaiuses that cause all trouble. There are 
no tribes in all the country but what are more quiet and peace- 
able to live with than they are. If any mischief is going ahead 
they originate and carry forward. They are more difficult to 
labour among than the Nez Perces. They are rich, especially in 
horses, and consequently haughty and insolent. A large assem- 
blage is expected in less than a month to meet in the valley of 
Walla Walla. What the result of it will be, time will determine 
From the excitement and talk that has been going on all winter 
we have reason to fear that it will not be a very quiet time. The 
Indians of the Buffalo country have been sent for by the high 
chief of the Nez Perces, Ellis. 



Walla Walla, April 14th, 1843. 

My Dear Brother: — I arrived here last Saturday. Left Was- 
copum Monday, early April 3rd, and came with Mr. Grant, who 
was in charge of the Company's boats, three in number; had a 
pleasant and safe voyage; arrived greatly exhausted with fatigue 
but feel much benefited by the trip. Two days after I received a 
letter from Sister Littlejohn at Lapwai (Mrs. Spalding's), giving 
the afflicting news of the death of her only son by drowning. He 
fell into the mill floom and floated down out of sight into a deep 
pit and was not found until it was too late to bring him to life. 

This makes the sixth person that has been drowned since 
November in this infant country; four adults and two children. 
Mr. Olley, of the Methodist mission, was drowned in the Wallam- 
ette about two months before Brother Rogers, and those with him. 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION l6l 

What the Lord means by the removal of so many, we know 
not, but feel admonished to be also ready. Brother and Sister 
Littlejohn feel their affliction deeply, but are mercifully support- 
ed under it. 

The excitement among the Kaiuses has abated considerable 
from what it was when I commenced this letter. Mr. McKinlay 
of this fort has been to Vancouver and brought back word to 
them from Dr. McLoughlin that they, the British, do not, neither 
have they intended to make war upon them. This relieves them 
considerably. Now their fear is the Americans. They have been 
led to believe that deceitful measures are being taken to rob them 
of their land, to kill them all off. Language like this has been 
told them, and at the meeting last fall, "that if you do not make 
laws and protect the whites and their property, we will put you 
in the way of doing it." They consider this a declaration to 
fight and the} 7 have prepared accordingly. We hope no depreda- 
tions will be committed upon us or the mission property, and 
think the difficulties can be removed and adjusted to their minds, 
but not without the most prudent and wise measures. The agent 
is quite ignorant of Indian charactex" and especially of the char- 
acter of the Kaiuses. Husband's presence is needed very much at 
this juncture. A great loss is sustained by his going to the States, ' 
I mean a present loss to the station and Indians, but hope and 
expect a greater good will be accomplished by it. There 
was no other way for us to do. We felt that we could not remain 
as we was without more help, and we are so far off that to send 
by letter and get returns was too slow a way for the present emer- 
gency. 

I intend to go up to Waiilatpu as soon as the water falls; it 
is so high now and is rising so that I cannot cross the rivers. I 
shall write some of the family by the mountain route; this I 
send by the express to Montreal. 

Would it be a strange thing if I should see you coming to 
this country with my husband? You will write me to pay for 
this I hope. Remember I have not heard a word about the death 
of that sister yet, and perhaps still greater inroads have been 



) 



1 62 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

made in the dear circle that I have yet to be informed of. It 
will not be many years before we shall all be transplanted, and 

may it be into the paradise above, and not one of us be missing. 

I want very much to hear about your little daughter, your- 
self and all your affairs, and how you feel and live from day to 
day, and what you are doing for the cause of Christ. How does 
the doctor appear to you? How have you enjoyed your visit with 
him? Living alone in the midst of a savage people, without see- 
ing much company, we lose our polish and doubtless would ap- 
quite uncouth to the civilized world. This is one of the mission- 
ary's trials, because he is apt to be despised for it. 

Love to all. Pray for your loving sister, 

Narcissa. 

Your spectacles are of great use to me. I should not know 
how to do without them. My eyes have failed me almost entire- 
ly. I think sometimes I have reason to think of you pretty often. 

1 should like a pair of green double plain glasses. Hope doctor 
will bring some. Farewell. 

N. 
Jonas Galusha Prentiss, Esq., 

Angelica, Allegheny County, 
New York, 

U. S. A. 



Waiilatpu, August 23, 1842. 

Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Allen, Cuba, My Dear Christian Friends: — 
I have this morning been thinking deeply upon our situation and 
wants as a mission, the spiritual condition of the native popula- 
tion, and the interests of the country at large as it respects the 
prosperity of the cause of Christ on the one hand and the exten- 
sion of the powers and dominion of Romanism on the other. The 
thought occurred to me, I will sit down and write to this dear 
brother and sister, and solicit an interest in their prayers and 
those of their beloved charge for us; it may be it will give such a 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 163 

spring to the work that angels will strike their harps anew, and 
a song of praise be put into the mouths of many who are 
now in the broad road to ruin. Think, if you please, of the soli- 
tary missionary labouring and toiling, without a single Aaron or 
Hur to stay up his hands! What slow progress must he make, if 
any at all, where the preaching and praying are all to be done by the 
same individual! Perhaps you will say, and justly, too, that we 
do pray for you continually. My dear friends, let me entreat you 
to offer up special prayer in our behalf, for we need it more than 
I can express. In the first place, we need more missionaries, and 
those of us who are now on the ground need your prayers emi- 
nently, not as those who have already attained unto perfect men 
and women in Christ, but as greatly in want of an enlargement 
in every Christian grace, if not an entire renovation of soul to 
God. 

The Kayuses, Nez Perces, Spokans, and all the adjacent tribes 
need your prayers, for they are a dark-minded, wandering people, 
having hearts, but understand not the truth. I will give you the 
language of one of them in a talk made three Sabbaths ago. Af- 
ter listening to an exposition of the truth contained in Proverbs, 
5th chapter, he said: " Your instruction is good; the wise and dis- 
creet appreciate it; fur the mass of us, we hear it, but it falls pow- 
erless upon our hearts, and we remain the same still." I felt it 
deeply as a reproof for our unbelief, and want of faithful, earnest 
prayer in their behalf. The present is the harvest time with 
them. We know not how soon ardent spirits will be introduced 
into the country to distract and impede our work. Settlers are 
beginning to come around us, and their influence will not be the 
most congenial, as they are mostly men living with native wo- 
men, who have for many years been wandering in the deep re- 
cesses of the mountains, indulging themselves in every species of 
vice and wickedness until, as one of them frankly confessed to 
me a short time since, they were wickeder than the Indians around 
them. Perhaps most of them have received the elements of a 
Christian education in their childhood years, and some have 
Christian parents. These, also, are eminently a subject for 
your prayers. 



164 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

Romanism stalks abroad on our right hand and on our left, 
and with daring effrontery boasts that she is to prevail and pos- 
[ sess the land. I ask, must it be so? Does it not remain for the 
people of God in this and Christian lands to say whether it shall 
I be so or not? "Is not the Lord on our side?" "If He is for us, 
who can be against us." The zeal and energy of her priests are 
without a parallel, and many, both white men and Indians, wan- 
der after the beasts. Two are in the country below us, and two 
far above in the mountains. One of the latter is to return this 
fall to Canada, the States and the eastern world for a large rein- 
forcement. How true — "while men slept, the enemy came and 
sowed tares." Had a pious, devoted minister, a man of talent, 
come into the country when we did and established himself at 
Vancouver, to human appearance the moral aspect of this country 
would not be the same as it is now; at least, we think Papacy 
would not have gained such a footing. But the past cannot now 
be retrieved. It remains for us to redeem the time; to stand in 
our lines and fight manfully the battles of the Lord. 

We send our imploring cry to you and ask, who will come to 
our help and who, remaining, will sustain us in the work by the 
mighty power of prayer? Without it, our work will be in vain, 
and perhaps worse than in vain. 

We have a concert of prayer on Tuesday evenings, called the 
Oregon Concert, in which the members of this mission and our 
Methodist brethren and sisters in the lower country unite to 
pray for the success of the cause of Christ in Oregon. 

It may be interesting to you to know something of what has 
been done since we came here. The missionaries in this field, as 
all Indian missions, have not only the spiritual wants of the 
people to attend to, but are obliged to provide for their own sus- 
tenance and comfort by cultivating land, building houses, mills, 
etc., and school houses, etc., for the people. These greatly divide 
his mind from his more appropriate mission work, and fill it 
with distracting cares, causing him to mourn and be filled with 
grief that so little is accomplished for the soul, the immortal 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 165 

part of man. Yet we have the satisfaction to feel that good has 
been and is done to them through this channel, and as well as 
the more direct way of instruction. 

The Kayuses, almost to a man, have their little farms now in 
every direction in this valley, and are adding to it as their means 
and experience increases. 

[Remainder of this letter missing. — Sec'v.] 



-y^Vw^ 



WaiilaTpu, Sept. 29th, 1842. 

My Dear Jane and Edivard: — I sit down to write you, but in 
great haste. My beloved husband has about concluded to start 
next Monday to go to the Uuited States, the dear land of our 
birth; but I remain behind. I could not undertake the journey, 
if it was considered best for me to accompany him, that is to 
travel as he expects to. He hopes to reach the borders in less 
than three months, if the Lord prospers his way. It is a dread- 
ful journey, especially at this season of the year; and as much as 
I want to see you all, I cannot think of ever crossing the moun- 
tains again — my present health will not admit of it. I would go 
by water, if a way was ever open; but I have no reason to think 
I ever shall. 

If you are still in Quincy you may not see him until his re- 
turn, as his business requires great haste. He wishes to reach 
Boston as early as possible so as to make arrangements to return 
next summer, if prospered. The interests of the missionary cause 
in this country calls him home. 

Now, dear Jane, are you going to come and join me in my 
labours? Is dear Edward so far advanced as not to need your 
aid any more? Do you think you would be contented to come 
and spend the remainder of your life on mission ground? If so, 
make your mind known to husband and he will make arrange- 
ments for you at Boston to come. Count the cost well before you 
undertake it. It is a dreadful journey to cross the mountains, 



1 66 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

and becoming more and more dangerous every year; but if any 
mission families come, you will find no difficulty in placing 
yourself under their protection. Bring nothing with you but 
what you need for the way, and a Sunday suit, a Bible and some 
devotional book for your food by the way. Send the remainder 
by ship. When E. has well finished his education, I hope he will 
come, also, for there will be work enough here to do by that 
time. At any rate, if you do not come, spend, if you please, all 
the time you can in writing me until he comes back, for he wishes 
to return next summer. Now do not disappoint me, for I have 
not heard a word from either of you since March, 1840. I have 
written you much since that time, but it may not have reached 
you. 

I shall be left alone at this station for a season, until Mr. 
Gray can send some one up from below to take the charge; and 
he has left the mission and goes to engage in a public school. I 
hope to have Mr. Rogers or Mr. Iyittlejohn to winter here — the 
latter wishes to return to the States iu the spring. 

Now, dear J. and E., adieu. I hope you will see husband 
long enough to have a good visit with him. I hope he will call 
as he goes along. If he has time, he will, but his business re- 
quires haste, if he returns next spring. 

Please give much love to Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley; tell her I 
shall never cease to remember and love her, and ardently hope 
they will both write me. I should like to hear of the different 
members of her family with whom I used to be acquainted. 

Gladly would I write more if I could, but must write a line to 
other friends. Pray for me and mine while we are separated from 
each other. 

Much love from myself to you both. 

Affectionately your sister, 

N. Whitman. 

P. S. — I have forgotten to speak of husband's company in 
travel. He is Mr. A. L. Lovejoy, a lawyer who came up from the 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 67 

States this summer, and now is willing and anxious to return fur 
the good he may do in returning. He will probably come back, 
again. He is not a Christian, but appears to be an intelligent, 
interesting man. 

N. W. 
Mr. Edward W. Prentiss, 

Mission Institute, 
Quincy, Illinois. 
Favour of Ur. Whitman. Care of Rev. Wm. Beardsley. 



Waiilatpu, Sept. 30th, 1842. 

My Beloved Parents, Brothers and Sisters: — You will be sur- 
prised if this letter reaches you to learn that the bearer is my 
dear husband, and that you will, after a few days, have the 
pleasure of seeing him. May you have a joyful meeting. 
He goes upon important business as connected with the 
missionary cause, the cause of Christ in this land, which I will 
leave for him to explain when you see him, because I have not 
time to enlarge. He has but yesterday fully made up his mind to 
go, and he wishes to start Monday, and this is Friday. I shall be 
left quite alone at this station for a season as Mr. G. and family 
leave for the Wallamette to engage in a public school, and is dis- 
missed from this mission. I hope to have Mr. Rogers and wife to 
come and winter here, or Mr. Littlejohn, perhaps both, and next 
summer I intend going below and spending some time in visit- 
ing for the benefit of my health, that is to relieve myself from 
care so that I shall have an opportunity to recruit. Now, dear 
mother will wonder why I could not come with him. My health, 
the season of the year, the speed with which he expects to travel, 
and the danger of the way, are reasons which make it impossible 
for me to accompany him. As much as I do desire to see my be- 
loved friends once more, yet I cheerfully consent to remain be- 
hind, that the object of his almost immediate presence in the 
land of our birth might, if possible, be accomplished. He wishes 
to cross the mountains during this month, I mean October, and 



1 68 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

reach St. Louis about the first of Dec, if he is not detained by the 
cold, or hostile Indians. O may the Lord preserve him through 
the dangers of the way. He has for a companion Mr. Lovejoy, a 
respectable, intelligent man and a lawyer, but not a Christian, 
who expects to accompany him all the way to Boston, as his friends 
are in that region, and perhaps to Washington. This is a com- 
fort to me, and that he is not to go alone, or with some illiterate 
mountain man, as we at first expected he would be obliged to. 
He goes with the advice and entire confidence of his brethren in 
the mission, and who value him not only as an associate, but as 
their physician, and feel, as much as I do, that they know not how 
to spare him; but the interest of the cause demands the sacrifice 
on our part; and could you know all the circumstances in the case 
you would see more clearly how much our hearts are identified in 
the salvation of the Indians and the interests of the cause gener- 
ally in this country. 

I cannot write but little, as I wish to give several of my friends 
at least a line or two to encourage them to remember me when 
he returns. He hopes to come back next summer, and I do hope 
each one of my brethren and sisters will tell me their own story 
on paper themselves, for husband will have so much business on 
his mind to attend to that he will not remember half you say to 
him. And will not dear father and mother write me with their 
own hand long letters? It will be, indeed, such a compensation 
for our separation, and I trust I shall feel a sufficient reward for 
permitting him to leave me behind and to make his visit alone 
to you. Forgive me, dear mother, if he is the sole theme of this 
letter; I can write about nothing else at this time. He is inex- 
pressibly dear to me. Once when Mr. Lee left his wife and she 
died in his absence, I thought I never could consent to be left so, 
but since the death of our beloved A. Clarissa, the sundering of 
that strong and tender tie has, I trust, loosened my affections to 
earthly objects, or in other words divided my heart by removing 
that tender object of a mother's love to my heavenly home, thus 
admonishing me to hold my affections more in subserviency to 
His blessed will for objects of earth, however strong the ties may 
be, and increased my attachments above. It seems we have an- 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 69 

other object added to increase our attachments to the home, which 
our Saviour has gone to prepare for us. 

I have just heard of the death of Sister M. A. Judson, but 
know nothing of the particulars, but hope to this fall by ship. 
I long to know more about it. I hope Brother J. is supported. 

I hope you will have a long visit with your son and brother, 
and a profitable one, and be cheered by it, and may he be pre- 
served to return again. I can write no more. Adieu, my beloved 
parents, brothers and sisters. May the rich blessings of heaven 
rest upon us all, and we be so happy as to meet in heaven. 

Affectionately yours, 

N. Whitman. 

P. S. — I hear that Sister H. is a mother. I hope she and her 
husband will write me, also sister Clarissa and her husband, and 
J. G. I have written to that brother, but have received none from 
him. I would write to brother J. G. if I had time. He and all 
others must receive my dear husband as my living epistle to them 
and write me by him. N. W. 

Hon. Stephen Prentiss, 

Angelica, Allegany Co., 

New York. 
Favour of Dr. Whitman. 



Vancouver, June Sth, 1843. 

My Beloved Brother and Sister Perkins:— I have but a mo- 
ment's notice of an opportunity of sending to you. Your trunk 
was forgotten by us all and brought on. I would send it now if 
I could, but latin says his boat is too small for that and his sheep. 
I felt very sad after leaving you, particularly as my visit had been 
so marred with what transpired while passing. I was grieved to 
see it affect you, as it was very natural it should. Rut there is 



170 TWENTIETH ANNUAL REUNION 

this consolation to comfort you, and in this case it is yours to re- 
joice when you are persecuted for righteousness' sake. 

I had a very fatiguing journey down; came near drowning 
in the portage once. One of the boats upset, but no lives lost 
The boat I was in just escaped capsizing. We arrived here just 
before sunset, Sabbath; displeased with myself and every one 
around me because of the profanation of the holy day of the 
Lord. 

Brother Hinds left this Tuesday morning. Dr. Barclay ad- 
vises that I remain here nearly a month that he may be able to 
satisfy himself respecting my case. 

This is but a poor return for the two good long letters I have 
received from Brother P. and the one from sister, yet I have a 
heart tilled with gratitude and Christian sympathy and love for 
you and those little ones associated with you. 

Do write as often as you can, both of you. 

Ever yours, 

Narcissa Whitman. 
Do not pay for these letters. 



Waiilatpu, Jan. 30th, 1844. 

Beloved Sister: — I received your kind letter and the accompany- 
ing book, a short time since andenjoyed to hear that the blessings 
of our kind Heavenly Father are still resting upon you and yours. 
May they still be continued and yfcur precious lives be preserved 
long for the poor heathen's sake. 

I will do as you desire and forward the memoir of Mrs. Smith 
to Mrs. Eells, as I shall have a good opportunity by my husband 
when he goes to attend upon Mrs. Walker, the last of next 
month. 

After I arrived at Walla Walla last fall, I spent a week there, 
and during the time I wrote several letters and sent back by the 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 171 

express. Since that time I have not been able to write to any one. 
I was not well when I left W. W., yet I thought I could endure 
to ride here in one day in a wagon, but it proved too much for 
me. We were in the evening late before we could reach home, as 
they had to go slow on my account, and I took cold. For six 
weeks after, I scarcely left my room and most of the time was 
confined to my bed more or less; — could take no care of my family, 
or but little. Indeed, I was in a much more miserable state than 
I was last winter while with you. About the twentieth of Dec. 
I was taken very suddenly with the inflammation of the bowels, 
and for a few days my life was despaired of. But the Lord in His 
infinite mercy directed and blessed means for my restoration in 
answer to pra}er. 

Since that time I have gradually gained my usual strength so 
that I am able to see to my domestic concerns more than I have 
any time since my return. I have not suffered from the disease I 
took medicine for last summer, but a new and more precarious 
one has discovered itself, since my return, yet of long standing. 
It consists of an organic affection of the main artery below the 
heart, a beating tumour which is liable to burst and extinguish 
life at any moment. There is no remedy for it, so I never expect 
to enjoy better health than I do at present; never do I expect to 
continue long on the earth. 

You expressed an assurance that I enjoyed the presence of my 
Saviour in my affliction. It has, indeed, been so for the most of 
the time. I feel that His mercies are very great to me and that I 
can say with the Apostle, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is 
gain." So long as it pleases Him to spare my life, I should like 
to live for my family and the poor Indians' sake. Notwithstand- 
ing I felt such a dread to return to this place of moral darkness, 
after enjoying so much of civilized life and Christian privileges, 
yet now I am here, I am happy and love my work and situation 
and desire to live long to see the cause of Christ advanced 
in this dark land. Indeed, I think I never enjoyed the privilege 
of being a missionary better than this winter, although I cannot 
do but little if any more than instruct my family and pray for 
and sustain the hands of mv dear husband in his labours. 



I72 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

My family consists of six children and a Frenchman that 
came from the mountains and stops with us without invitation. 
Mary Ann, however, is with Mrs. Littlejohn now. Two English 
girls, Ann and Emma Hobson, one 13 and the other 7, of the par- 
ty stopped with us; husband engaged to take them in the first 
part of the journey, but when they arrived here they went directly 
to W. Walla, being persuaded not to stay by some of the party 
on account of the Indians. When I arrived at W. W. they saw 
me and made themselves known to me and expressed a desire to 
come home with me. The girls were so urgent to stop that I 
could not well refuse them, and their father was obliged to give 
them up. I felt unwilling to increase my family at that time, 
but now have no reason to regret it, as they do the greater part of 
my work and go to school besides. I should like to keep on and 
tell you how I found things when I reached home; but this sheet 
is full; I will, however, take another and direct it to Sister Perkins, 
and as it is but the continuation of this, I presnme she will allow 
you the privilege of reading it. I sympathize with you and Mrs. 
M. in the affliction of a broken breast. Please remember me to 
her if with you. 

We send you a bunch of twine and desire to exchange it for 
some shoe thread if you are willing and can spare it. 

I often think and dream of you and the scenes of the past. 
Neither do I forget you in my weak supplications at a throne of 
grace and the people for whom you labour; but especially at the 
seasons of our mothers' meetings do I feel a meeting of hearts 
around the mercy seat clearer and sweeter to me than all this 
earth can afford. 

Kind regards to your dear husband, and please give many 
kisses to the sweet babes for me. 

Your sister, 

N. Whitman. 
Mrs. L. E. Brewer, 

Wascopum. 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 73 

WAHXATPU, Jan. 31st, 1S44. 

Beloved Sister: — My story was so long that I could not put it 
all on one sheet, so I told Sister Brewer I would take another 
and direct it to you, for I presume you would allow her the pe- 
rusal. Before I begin, however, I will speak of the interest of this 
day to us as mothers, it being the last Wednesday of the month, 
and according to our constitution we have agreed to observe it as 
a dav of fasting and prayer on our own account and our chil- 
dren's. It did not occur to me last winter while I was with you. 
It is a change that has been recently made in our constitution. 
It is a pleasing thought to feel that on this day our hearts cen- 
tre at one point, namely, the Mercy Seat, with all our interesting 
charges in our arms as the mothers of old were agreed in bring- 
ing their children to the Saviour while on the earth. Although 
we are so widely separated in person, yet we meet there and feel 
that our hearts are one for our object is one, and a dear one, too, 
to every mother's heart. O when shall we be permitted to see 
these heathen mothers as anxious and enjoy as much comfort in 
bringing their children to the Saviour in such meetings as is 
their privilege to? Perhaps you may live to see it, but I have no 
reason to think 1 shall. I have written to Sister B. the particu- 
lars concerning my health to which I must refer you. I must 
begin my story, or I shall not be able to finish it even on this 
sheet. 

When I arrived home, I found Mr. and Mrs. Littlejohn occu- 
pying my bedroom. She was sick, having been confined a few 
days before I came. The room east of the kitchen, Mr. East and 
family occupied — four children, all small. Mr. Looney, with a 
family of six children and one young man by the name of Smith, 
were in the Indian room. My two boys, Perrin Whitman and 
David, slept up-stairs. Alex., the Frenchman, in the kitchen, and 
Mary Ann and Helen in the trundle-bed in the room with Mr. 
Littlejohn. The dining room alone remained for me, husband 
and my two English girls; all of these were fed from our table 
except Mr. Looney's family, and our scanty fare consisted of 
potatoes and corn meal, with a little milk occasionally, and 



174 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL EEUNION 

cakes from the burnt wheat. This was a great change for me 
from the well furnished tables of Waskopum and Willamette. 

Thus it continued for four weeks with the exception of the 
slaying of a lean hog as often as required. Besides those fed at 
our table, there were three families in Mr. Gray's house that were 
supplied with provisions by us; one a widow woman with three 
children, whose husband was drowned in crossing the Snake 
river, and another with four, and an aged couple. These consti- 
tute the foreign inhabitants of Waiilatpu. 

In about five weeks after my return, Mr. L. and family re- 
moved into a room prepared for thein over the cellar, Mr. Looney 
to the Prince's house up the river, and Mr. East to Mr. Spalding's, 
taking with them one of the daughters of Mrs. Eyers, the widow, 
to live with Mrs. S. During all this period and for some time 
after I was to sick too make any effort at arranging m} r house, or 
to have the care of my family, and the confusion and noise dis- 
tressed me exceedingly, for every child about the house, my own 
with the rest, were as wild and uncontrollable as so many wild 
animals. 

As soon as Mrs. L. recovered her health and got settled, she 
opened a school for the children of the white inhabitants which 
numbers fifteen scholars. Now our children are quite tame and 
manageable and we feel that they are all enjoying a great privilege. 
How many times I have thought of Henry and Ellen and wished 
they could enjoy the same. For about a month past my health 
has so much improved that I have had strength to set some part 
of my house in order by degrees and to relieve my husband in 
his care of the family in a good measure. He never expects 
me to be anything more than an invalid, consequently my labours 
will be circumscribed. 

I hope your dear husband will favour us with his presence at 
our expected meeting, accompanied by Mr. Lee. 

111 all things I desire to be submissive to the will of my Sav- 
iour, although at times I have felt that it was trying to be taken 
away in the midst of my days and without accomplishing more 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 75 

for Christ. The Lord's time is the best for us if we can always 
feel it to be so, which I desire to do. 

Do pray for your unworthy sister, 

N. Whitman. 
Mrs. Elvira Perkins, 

Waskopum. 



Waiilatpu, April 24, 1844. 

Dear Sister Brezcer:— I hear that you are alone and I thought 
I would write a little to comfort, or at least to assure you that I 
have not forgotten you or yours, although I am unable to write 
as much as I would like to. Your letter, together with the accom- 
paning ones, came in a good time when they did us much good, 
and I have wanted very much to reply to them earlier, but have 
felt too unwell most of the time, or had so much caie I could not 
find time when I was able. You have had the trouble of enter- 
taining our winter visitors, and longer, too, I fear, than you knew 
how. I sympathize with you and hope provisions have not been 
as short with you as us, but fear they have been more so. We were 
greatly in hopes that we should have one of your number to visit 
with us this spring, but it seems Mr. and Mrs. P. and family have 
gone below. I hear nothing from Sister Abernethy nor any of 
them below; I desire to very much. I wish you could visit us 
this summer — will you not try? It would be so refreshing. Do 
come — all of you. How I do desire to enjoy another refreshing 
season of divine worship and social privileges, such as I used to 
last summer. But 1 do not know as I may ever in this world. 

Our Indians have been very much excited this spring, but are 
now quiet. The influx of emigration is net a going to let us live 
in as much quiet, as it regards the people, as we have done. 

I must close. This is a miserable letter and not worth read- 
ing; I have written in such haste. But this one thing be assured, 
I still love and think of you with increased interest, and if we 



176 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

meet no rnore in this world, it gives me joy to think we may meet 

in Heaven and there, being washed white in the blood of the Lamb, 

Praise Him continually. 

Affectionately yours, 

N. Whitman. 
Mrs. L. L. Brewer, 

Waskopum. 



Waiilatpu, Oregon Territory,) 
May 18th, 1844. j 

Mrs. Lydia E. Porter, My Dear Sister: — It is impossible for 
me to describe the many pleasing associations that entwined 
around my heart as I perused the three tokens of affectionate re- 
membrance received by the hand of my husband, from the 
friends of my early youth, the dearest friends of my heart, and 
friends of my Saviour, too. It would have been an indescribable 
favour to have participated with hirn in the visit; but this could 
not have been, short as it was. It is a great satisfaction to me 
and was to him to have seen your faces again in the flesh. That 
I shall ever be permitted to visit my dear native Prattsburg again 
is very uncertain. I do not desire to, so long as my poor ineffi- 
cient services are needed here, much as I should enjoy the visit. I 
had rather try to induce my friends to come and see me and seek 
a home in Oregon. A wide door of usefulness is open here to 
the philanthropic and benevolent heart. Multitudes are flocking 
to this land and will continue to in still greater numbers, and 
for every purpose. And our anxious desire is that the salt of the 
earth should be found among them, also that this entire country 
may be seasoned with heavenly influence from above. The powers 
of darkness have long held their undivided sway over this land, 
and we feel that Satan will not quietly yield his dominions to 
another. He is on the alert with all his hosts, and in as many 
ways as he has numbers employed to gain the entire victory to 
keep and drive from the field all who molest or disturb his quiet. 
Many souls are here for whom Christ died, and multitudes more 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 77 

unconcerned are hastening to this far-distant land to seek their for- 
tune of wordly goods, regardless of their treasure in heaven. But 
thanks be to the hearer of prayer, many already have found 
Christ in Oregon, who have long rejected him in a gospel land. 
Last summer while husband was absent, I had the unspeakable 
happiness of attending two meetings of days at different places — 
while on a visit to the Willamette among our Methodist friends. 
Almost every soul was affected with divine truth and many, we 
trust, found peace in believing. 

I left the station soon after husband's departure and spent 
the winter with Messrs. Lee, Perkins and Brewer's families, of the 
Methodist mission. My health was quite poor, indeed I was un- 
able to ride to any of the stations of our mission, and being in- 
vited and desirous of visiting them, I availed myself of the oppor- 
tunity of a passage down the river in the express boats. In April, 
returned to the station, and in June went to Vancouver and the 
Willamette on a visit, as there was no female society at the sta- 
tion. I enjoyed my visit much; having been so long from the 
civilized world, it seemed good to get among Christians once 
more. I was in the Willamette when husband arrived at this 
place. He could not come for me as he had to visit Brother Spald- 
ing's on an express, as Sister S. was then at the point of death 
and had been dangerously ill for some time. But she has been 
mercifully spared to us, and is now enjoying comfortable health. 
From Mr. S. he returned to the station to make arrangements for 
imparting provisions to the emigrants, which took all the station 
raised the past year, leaving us to obtain our supplies from 
Brother Spalding. Immediately he was obliged to go a hundred 
and sixty miles to Brother Eells to attend Sister E. in her expect- 
ed confinement. Before he returned I was making my way up 
the river under the protection of Rev. Jason Lee, superintendent 
of that mission, who was coming up as far as their mission at 
the Dalls. It was at this place we met after a separation of 
little more than a year, rejoicing in the mercy of God to us both 
in sparing our lives and permitting us to see each other again. 
We came home immediately and re-organized our family which 
had increased considerably. My health, which before had been 



178 TWENTIETH ANNUAL REUNION 

very feeble, was most precarious for three months after my re- 
turn. At one time I was brought very near the gates of death. I 
am at present by no means perfectly well, but am more comfort- 
able than I then feared I ever should be. I desire to spend the 
remnant of my day to the glory of God, and to be in constant 
readiness for my departure, for I feel that it is not far distant. 
Truly you and your dear husband have been deeply afflicted 
in the death of so many members of your beloved families. I 
feel to sympathize with you and your truly bereaved and aged 
father. Please present my love and kindest remembrances to him. 
I could not keep from weeping in hearing my husband's interest- 
ing description of him. Surely, what has he to bind him to 
earth when the most of his beloved family is in heaven. I love 
to think of them there as my own dear friends, for I hope soon to 
be with them. 

Husband has been writing to Father Hotchkiss concerning 
this country, what I hope your dear husband will see, and with 
other friends be prevailed upon to come to this country and 
adopt it as your own. Be assured nothing would give us greater 
pleasure than to see some of our Prattsburg friends here in Ore- 
gon. 

I sincerely hope you will write me often, for I am anxious to 
hear more particulars concerning Mrs. Iceland's death and her 
surviving family. You know not how much I enjoyed the read- 
ing of the Pastor's Wife which Mr. Malin kindly sent me. I had 
written her, as also Mrs. O. L. Porter, but have received no an- 
swers. 

Please remember me affectionately to each member of your 
family, your Brother V. and P.'s family, and all Christian friends 
who may inquire. Forget not to write concerning your own dear 
children and your maternal association, for I desire much to 
know of its prosperity; also of the cause of Christ generally. 

Yours sincerely and affectionately, 

Narcissa Whitman. 
Mrs. Lydia C. Porter, 

Prattsburg, 

Steuben County, N. Y. 
Favour of W. Gilpin. 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 79 



Waiii,atpu, Oregon Territory, ) 
May 20th 1844. J 

My Dear Clarissa: — I am glarl you have begun to write 
rue. I hope it will not be the last one I shall receive from you. 
You cannot do me so much good in any way, except by praying 
for me, as in writing me all about yourselves and beloved children. 
I want to see how you look and how you live. I try to be faith- 
ful on my part, although I have not so much time as you, and 
many more correspondents. My husband's visit was very short, 
too much so to gain all the information I was in hopes he would 
bring me. Yet I am glad he has seen you, although I have not 
had the privilege. It would give me great eujoyment to visit you 
once more, but I cannot expect it; I am a missionary, and there- 
fore cannot seek after comfort merely, but must be content to 
stay where I am and do the Lord's work. Believe me, dear sister, 
I am most perfectly so. I would not be otherwise situated so long 
as the Lord wants me here. 

You and sister Harriet seem anxious to make me laugh. Per- 
haps if you could see me you would not desire to. I feel but little 
disposition to, I can assure you, for I have more around me and 
within, to make me cry than to make me laugh. In the first 
place, my health is poor, and I feel as if I was not very far from 
Eternity. My family cares are numerous. I feel sometimes as if 
I had almost as many children as mother, although they are not 
my own. Yet I have the same care of them as if I was their own 
mother; and the native children are more difficult to manage than 
our own. Besides these, I have a sluggish heart within that requires 
constant watching. I desire to be cheerful, because that is a duty; 
but I find it hard work always to be so, especially when husband 
was gone. But the Lord supported me, else I could not have been 
at all. 

For two weeks past Mrs. McKinlay has been here. She came to 
stay during her confinement, as there are no females at the Fort. 
She boards with Sister Littlejohn, who lives in the east wing of 
our house over the cellar. This morn we were called about four 
o'clock and in a short time she was delivered of a fine son. This 



l8o TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

is her second child born in this house. She had a daughter born 
two years ago now that died last fall with the croup. 

Dear C, do you think we shall ever see you in Oregon? Hus- 
band has been writing to father and others, to hold out induce- 
ments for our friends to come into this country. 

The Indians are roused a good deal at seeing so many emi- 
grants, but they are foolish enough to wish to sell their lands. 

Husband tells me that you and mother are in the same house 
ogether and that Harriet is close by. I think you must be happy 
n so many of you being so near together and having father and 
mother with you. 

I wish they would come and live with me. True, they are 
considerably advanced, and you think too old to cross the Rocky 
mountains. We wintered an old couple last winter that had fol- 
lowed their children to this country, for the sake of benefiting 
them in the things of this world. They were considerable older 
than father and mother. They came in wagons all the way, and 
was sick, particularly the woman, most all the way. But the past 
winter she has fleshed and regained her health, better than it 
had been for years, notwithstanding our living was very plain — 
good beef, potatoes and cornmeal — no milk nor butter through 
the winter. We find it very good to dispense with horse beef and 
have plenty of cow beef in its place. 

I do not know as I should be more surprised to see them than 
to see many that I have seen. True, it would be very fatiguing 
and distressing to both mind and body, for them both. I cannot 
say that I desire they should endure so much fatigue and suffer- 
ing in their old age as they would necessarily to come and see 
me, unless there was a more ennobling object; but for a young 
couple just beginning in life, perhaps there is not a place where 
they would do better. Please tell Harriet that I shall not be able 
to answer her letter at this mail, as I have my Rushville friends 
to answer yet. Soon we hope to have a monthly mail to pass 
back and forth from here to the States, then I hope to receive 
letters often. 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 181 

Remember me affectionately to your husband and all the 
friends there. 

Ever your affectionate sister, 

N. Whitman. 
Mrs. Clarissa P. Kinny, 

Cuba, Allegheny Co., 

New York. 
Favour of W. Gilpin. 



WaiixaTptj, Aug. 5th, 1844. 

My Dear Mrs. Brewer: — Tilaukikt is about starting for the 
Willamette, and I take the opportunity of replying to yours of 
June 10th, which was thankfully received. We know well how to 
sympathize with you in having such boys as Eli and Thomas 
about you, and for the trouble of those families in passing. We 
are all of us, I suppose, on the eve of another such scene as last 
fall — the passing of emigrants — and as it falls the heavier upon 
my friends at the Dalls, I hope they have laid in a good stock of 
strength, patience and every needed grace for the siege. We have 
had no news from that quarter as yet, but cannot think it will 
be long before we shall hear. 

We hear Mr. and Mrs. Gary are visiting you. Last week we 
sent an invitation to Mr. G. in a letter to Mr. Perkins, to have 
him visit us accompanied by Brother P. and any other member 
of your mission who could conveniently come, and we have been 
looking for and anxiously desire to see them. Perhaps our letter 
may not have been received. By the by, we never heard in all of 
our correspondence from the lower country, that there was a Mrs. 
Gary until our letters and papers from the Islands arrived. If 
she is still with you, please do me the favour to present her our 
Christian salutations and a hearty welcome to Oregon, our 
adopted home. 

We should be happy to have her visit us at the present time, 
if convenient. I can imagine myself with you, particularly in 



1 82 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

your enjoyments, both social and spiritual, and if it would be 
right, could envy you. Is Brother and Sister Waller there? We 
have heard that they were coming to the Dalls, but not that they 
were come. Do write us when you can. It does us good to 
know that you all are enjoying such privileges, if we must be 
deprived of them. I think my husband would have made you a 
visit if he could have known that it was not convenient for any 
of your number to come to Waiilatpu. 

I wrote Sister Perkins last week. The Indian leaves this 
morning, and as I write in haste, you will please excuse the brev- 
ity of this note. I should like to hear the result of the late camp 
meeting. 

Love to you all, in which the doctor unites. 

Sincerely and affectionately yours, 

Narcissa Whitman. 



Waiilatpu, Feb. 20th, 1845. 

My Dear Mrs. Brewer: — I do not recollect that I am indebted 
to you, but having a favourable opportunity of sending, and feel- 
ing desirous of a social chat with you, I have seated myself to 
write, although my baby is whining and the children are busy 
about me like so many bees. 

I am anticipating very much enjoyment from your contem- 
plated visit to us this season. I hope you will not disappoint us. 
Please let me know about the time when you will probably come. 

[ have had a very happy winter in labouring for my family 
of orphans, and other reasons. The Lord so mercifully provided 
me with a fellow labourer that I feel I never can be sufficiently 
thankful. I think I mentioned when I wrote last that we had 
an excellent school, and that our children were improving rapid- 
ly; and perhaps I spoke, too, of the conversion of the teacher to 
God. A kind Providence brought him to our door, and he had 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 183 

not been here many days before, like the prodigal in a far coun- 
try, he came to himself, and remembering the many prayers and 
admonitions of parental love, his former convictions and striv- 
ings of the Spirit, together with the long suffering patience and 
loving kindness of his Heavenly Father, he resolved to return, 
and in deep contrition, consecrated himself to his divine Master. 
Now he contemplates studying for the ministry, and with this 
view remains with us for a season and will teach school, or, at 
least, give one lesson a day through the summer, and next winter 
keep a regular one. 

Since his conversion, Mr. Hinman has laboured indefatigably 
in Sabbath-school and otherwise for the benefit of the youths 
and children that have been with us the winter past, and much 
good seed has been sown which we doubt not will be felt here- 
after. 

I write in so much confusion, that I shall be obliged to stop 
before I have said what I wish to. 

Husband is so much engaged in fitting out and settling with 
the immigrants that he wishes me to apologize to your husband 
for him. He would write, if possible. He sends some corn as 
Mr. B. requested. He has none that has been particularly saved 
for seed; but will, next fall, if desired, save and send some New 
York corn, which we find to be very suitable for the country. 
Some beets and acorn squash seeds are in the bag with the corn. 
The others you requested, we have none. 

Please give m}^ love to Brother and Sister Waller, to your 
husband and self and all the dear children, and believe me, in 
haste, 



Yours affectionately, 

N. W. 



Mrs L. L. Brewer, 

Wascopum. 



1 84 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 



WaiilaTpu, May 19th, 1845. 

My Dear Mrs.Breiver: — My husband and our dear Brother Hin- 
man are about to visit you, and I wish very much I could enjoy it 
with them. I have been looking for a visit from you and Brother 
Brewer, and regret very much that you have not been here at the 
time you mentioned, for both Mr. Walker's and Mr. Eells' fami- 
lies have been here. Why did you not come? I am afraid now 
you will not let me see you this summer; do come if you can when 
the doctor returns. How I should like to converse with you about 
your and our trials, hopes, fears and prospects in the missionary 
work. I cannot write much now, but hope you will enjoy the 
company of those who go from here and be of mutual benefit to 
each other. We were permitted while the mission was here to 
receive Brother Hinman into our church. It was an interesting 
time not soon to be forgotten. Please give my love to Brother 
and Sister Waller, your dear husband, and kiss the dear children 
for me. Have you heard from Brother Perkins lately? and also, 
Mr. J. Lee, is he coming back? 

Yours in love, 

Narcissa Whitman. 
Mrs. L. L. Brewer, 

Wascopum. 

Favour of Mr. Hinman. 



WaiilaTpu, August 9th, 1845. 
My Dear Sister: — Your sympathizing letter came in just the 
time to do me much good. I thank you for it, and for the infor- 
mation it contained concerning Francisco, and the feelings of 
the party with whom he traveled, about the orphan children 
with us. I read your letter to John; he seemed quite hurt about 
Mr. P.'s charge, and said that he (Mr. P.I asked him several times 
if he did not wish to go to the Willamette. I saw nothing to 



OREGON ASSOCIATION PIONEER 1 85 

make me think that John wished to have his brother go; but, on 
the contrary, he and all the sisters tried to keep him and ap- 
peared to feel very bad about his going. If it were otherwise, 
his actions deceive me very much. 

You are right in saying that I "feel indifferent to what is 
said about me, so far as I am concerned individually." I endeav- 
our in all things to act towards the children as if they were my 
own. My sincere, ardent and abiding wish is to train them up 
for God and eternity, and not for their transient existence in 
this life. I try to study my duty towards them in every respect, 
both carefully and prayerfully. We felt it our duty to have them 
baptized, as many as were willing to be, and accordingly we did 
so, the girls only consenting. I felt it a great privilege to do so 
still, and am greatly strengthened in spirit to labour for them. 

I do not think them difficult children to manage, neither do 
I have occasion often to use the rod. The little one, as all other 
little children do, manifested a stubborn disposition at first, 
which required subduing; since she has appeared well — obeys 
promptly when spoken to. I have no reason to regret the course 
I have pursued with her, when I consider the effects upon her dis- 
position, naturally very obstinate, as well as all the others. Doubt- 
less this is what has occasioned the remarks, for it took place 
about the time Francisco went away. Louise, the next older, I 
have not been able to subdue so completely; but she is much 
better than when she first came. They were said to be very bad 
children when they were left; but there was a reason for that. 
Left without restraint in such a journey, it could not be expected 
otherwise. Putting them all in school immediately under such 
a good and faithful disciplinarian as Mr. Hinman, I was entirely 
relieved of the difficult and hard task of breaking them in to 
habits of obedience and order. I feel that I never can be too 
thankful for the mercies of the Lord in placing such a good 
young man in our family to do this work for us when my health 
was so inadequate to the work, and the doctor so entirely taken 
up with other duties with emigrants and Indians. He has also, 
accomplished the tedious task of starting them all in a, b, c, and 



1 86 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

ba, be, etc. They are so well advanced and have been trained to 
such good habits of study, that my labour is comparatively easy, 
and I am now taking new delight every day in teaching. All 
except Louise read and spell well. She is in words of three letters. 
Some, or all of the older ones, are showing considerable mind and 
rather seriously inclined. Our Sabbath-school is always an inter- 
esting season with us — increasingly so. I am desirous to see them 
Christians. What I do I feel that I ought to do immediately; 
and will you pray for me, my dear sister, that our instructions 
may not be lost upon them? I could write much more upon this 
subject, but have not time. I wish I could see you, then we could 
open our hearts freely to each other. Do come if you can and 
see us. 

I do feel, as I have every reason to believe you do, that the 
receipt of our Mother's Magazine is an unspeakable favour. Situ- 
ated as we are, away from other help, what a blessing to possess 
such a pleasing auxiliary in our labours as mothers. I hope and 
pray that its introduction into this county will be the means of 
much good. Husband sent the one that came to Mrs. Perkins to 
Mrs. Willson. Perhaps Mrs. Waller would have preferred to have 
had it continued to her in the room of Mrs. Perkins. I do not 
know as Mrs. Willson wishes to become responsible for it; if not, 
and Mrs. W. would, it can be sent to her. Other numbers can be 
ordered if desired. 

I received from the editor receipts for each subscriber. Yours 
I will enclose and forward at this time. If husband had opened 
my package, he would have been able to have distributed them 
to all. Y'ou will see that it is given for a little more than the 
doctor settled for, the bound volume being twenty-hve cents more 
than the unbound ones. Mrs. McKinlay has all the back bound 
volumes sent to her order. 

But I must close. If you can read this poorly written letter, 
I shall be glad. It would be no more than justice to your good 
sense to copy it, but inability from poor health and numerous 
cares, pleads to be excused. Please give my love to Brother and 
Sister Waller and your husband in which husband unites. Please 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 87 

accept of our united thanks for your kindness to him in passing. 
He enjoyed his visit with you and in the Willamette very much. 

Affectionately yours, 

Narcissa Whitman. 

P. S. — John sends an invitation to his brother, and a horse to 
have him come back. I hope it will have the effect to prevail on 
him to do so. I feel much for him and wish him to return, as all 
of us do, and pray the Lord to restore the wanderer to our arms 
again. 



Waiilatpu, Nov. 28th, 1845. 
My Dear Mrs. Brewer: — I seize a moment this morning to 
write you, although it is in the midst of bustle and Indian excite- 
ment. Mr. Rinearson will hand you this. He has been engaged 
by us in teaching an Indian school. He is a very agreeable and 
good young man in every respect, except he lacks the one thing 
needful. He will be our living epistle to you concerning the state 
of things with us. It may be that we shall be obliged to leave 
here in the spring. The state of things looks now very much as 
though we should be required to. 

We have long been anxious to hear from you. From Indian 
reports, we fear that you have been through a season of trial and 
distress the season past before unknown. If so, I hope the strength 
and grace of God has been your support and consolation through 
all your afflictions. 

I feel greatly worn out, both physically and mentally, so that 
I scarcely feel strength enough of mind left to dictate any thing 
that will be worth reading. But I felt that I could not let this 
opportunity pass without just saying to you that we often think 
and speak of you both, and Brother and Sister Waller, too; love 
and sympathize with you as fellow sharers in the same labour , 
trials, faith and patience, in the work of our Divine Master. 



1 88 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

For the poor Indians' sake and the relief of future travelers 
to this country, I could wish to stay here longer if we could do it 
in peace. We fear, sometimes, as if our quietness was past for 
this country, at least for a season. It may be that you are suffer- 
ing under the same commotions that affect us, and perhaps more 
so. If so, you will understand me. Mr. Rinearson has a full view 
of the subjects agitated, takes a deep interest in our situation and 
prospects, as well as the interest of the Indians and country. 

I received your letter by Mr. Spalding and was much refreshed 
by it, and I believe I have not written you since. 

Please give my love to Brother and Sister Waller, and accept 

for yourself and husband our assurances of continued esteem 

and affection. 

Your sister in Christ, 



N. Whitman. 



Mrs. L/. Li. Brewer, 

Wascopum. 
Favour of Mr. Rinearson. 



Waiilatpu, April 2d, 1846. 

My Dear Edward: — You can imagine better than I can de- 
scribe how glad I was to receive your token of remembrance, to- 
gether with the letters from yourself and Jane last September, as 
two of the emigrants called on us to deliver them. Your letters, 
Edward, were just the thing for me. I like such kind of letters 
as show me the spirit and make of the writer. I cannot see how 
it should be so difficult for you or the girls to write me, and 
should think you might write me five or six times a year instead 
of once in two or more years. I really believe if you were situated 
as I am you never would write at all. Think of me now while I 
am attempting to write — half a dozen children making a noise 
around me, and to put on the climax, the doctor must come in, 
and taking a paper sit down and read aloud or talk to Mr. Rogers, 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 89 

who is sitting in the room; then in comes an Indian woman or 
two to sell some dry berries, and I must stop to attend to them, 
until I am quite lost and scarcely know what I am thinking 
about, especially when I have nearly twenty letters to write, and 
but little time to accomplish it in; but enough of this. 

I have just asked the doctor what I should say to you about 
your coming to Oregon. He says there is no want of inducement 
for you to come, and he intends to write you some of them at. 
least; but the only qualification you need, he says, is a wife, and 
then yon must bring Jane. I do not know what you will say to 
that. If there were any here to be had, I should prefer to have 
you come without; but as there is none, and to make the trip 
twice to get one would be dubious; for this reason, if you could 
find a good one, by all means get her and come on, and bring 
Jane with you. You cannot tell how anxious I am to see you. I 
have been looking for you more or less for several years past. 
You know not how disappointed I was that the doctor did not 
bring Jane with him. He wants to have her here as much as I 
do; but the reason he did not bring her was — (you will laugh 
when I tell you) — the Indians would say that he had got tired of 
me and taken another wife, as they do, or was wishing to have 
two wives. Don't be frightened at this, Jane, and stay away, but 
by all means come, both of you. We have work enough for all 
of you to do, and want your help very much. It is a pleasant, 
health} - country to live in. When once here you will not wish 
to go away again. It is a bad job to get here, but make the best 
of that you can and come. I do wish Mr. Pope and his lady 
would come. Good men are needed here and he would do well 
for himself. Jane might have come with husband if he had 
known in season of some good family for her to come in, but it 
will be pleasanter for her to come with her brother. 

The journey is a trying one to the faith and hopes of Chris- 
tians. Slvuild you come I hope you will look well to the exercises 
of your own heart and never neglect to watch and pray. Hold 
sweet communion with God every day. Make it a point not to 
neglect this duty and you will be assisted to make the journey 



I90 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL EEUNION 

without having to experience the bitter reflection after your 
arrival of dishonouring God and your profession by the way. 

Dear brother, this is the most important subject to be looked 
at in making a journey to this country. "See that ye fall not 
out by the way," was Joseph's advice to his brethren. And it 
would be well if it were written on every Christian's wagon, or to 
say the least, his heart, to be called to mind every day or every 
hour of the day as need be. You will be tried in every point and 
in many ways you never were before. You may be persecuted 
and reviled, "but if you suffer for Christ's sake, happy are ye;" 
but if for your own faults, then it will be trying. Much of this 
will be avoided if you have a select few who are devoted Chris- 
tians, united in all points for each others, interest, especially in 
keeping the Sabbath and social worship, etc. If you come together 
and keep together all the way, it may be made very agreeable. 
This, perhaps, may be difficult to find a party sufficiently large 
to be safe. There are several gentlemen going back this spring 
that left their families last year and intend returning next year, 
I believe. I hope 5'ou will have an opportunity of seeing some of 
them, from whom you may learn more about the journey than I 
can write. I am not concerned but that you will get here well 
enough if you start with any suitable arrangement; but I am 
more anxious lest you should not at all times bring honour upon 
Christ, our dear Redeemer, who died to save us. The excitement 
is great and objects of faith are too apt to be lost sight of in 
objects of sense, and our duty of prayer and watchfulness neglect- 
ed. When you have experienced what I have, and heard and seen 
what I have in others, you will believe me if you do not feel the 
importance now. 

Hoping the Lord will bring you safely here and that we shall 
be permitted to see each other's faces in the flesh and enjoy His 
unspeakable favours together in glorifying Him while we live. 

So prays your devoted sister, 

NARCISSA. 

P. S. — There were many very useful articles in the box you sent 
me for all of which I thank you. I was in hopes of finding one little 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION I9I 

article more that is needed more than most any other because it 
cannot be obtained here; namely, a pi-la-ain, as the Indians call 
it (louse trap). You will understand me, I suppose — the finest 
fine combs cannot be obtained here, for that reason I was in hopes 
of finding one in the box. I know you would have sent me some 
if you had kown my need. At any rate, I was very proud to get 
what I did from you, because it came from you, dear brother. 



WaiilaTpu, April 2, 1846. 

My Dear Jane: — The season for sending letters has nearly ar- 
rived, and I begin to feel as if I must be about writing to some 
of my friends or they will complain of my negligence or forget- 
fulness. I believe I have written very few letters since the doc- 
tor returned. My health has been so poor, and my family has 
increased so rapidly, that it has been impossible. You will be 
astonished to know that we have eleven children in our family, 
and not one of them our own by birth, but so it is. Seven or- 
phans were brought to our door in Oct., 1844, whose parents both 
died on the way to this country. Destitute and friendless, there 
was no other alternative — we must take them in or they must 
perish. The 3-oungest was an infant five months old — born on 
the way — nearly famished and but just alive; the eldest was 13- - 
two boys and five girls; the boys were the oldest. The eldest 
daughter was lying with a broken leg by the side of her parents 
as they were dying, one after the other. They were an afflicted 
and distressed family in the journey, and when the children ar- 
rived here they were in a miserable condition. You can better 
imagine than I can describe my feelings under those circum- 
stances. Weak and feeble as I was, in an Indian country without 
the possibility of obtaining help, to have so many helpless chil- 
dren cast upon our arms at once, rolled a burden upon me insup- 
portable. Nothing could reconcile me to it but the thought that 
it was the Lord that brought them here, and He would give me 
grace and strength so to discharge my duty to them as to be ac- 



I92 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

ceptable in His sight. The Lord at the same time sent us a ver}' 
good young man, originally from New York, whom we employed 
to teach an English school. He was of great assistance to me in 
bringing the children into good habits and advancing them in 
reading, as well as in the government of them. He was not pious 
when he entered the family, but the influence of being once 
more in a Christian family, called to his mind the feeling and 
many prayers and tears of a pious mother and deceased father for 
him, and overwhelmed him. He went to a retired spot just below 
the house on the river side and wept bitterly and poured out his soul 
to God in prayer and consecrated himself to His service. He imme- 
diately engaged in religious duty and was my associate in instruct- 
ing and labouring with the children in Sabbath school and other- 
wise. Several families wintered here, which made the school quite 
large. At the annual meeting of our mission he united with the 
mission church. He is now in the Willamette teaching in the 
Oregon Institute. This was the winter of 1844 and 1845. 

I received no letters from you or Edward that fall and thought 
it surprising that in all that great company you could not have 
sent us a single letter. I think I wrote you in the spring by Over- 
ton's party; hope you have got it by this time. It seems to me 
the immigration might bring me letters from my friends every 
year. I have not had a letter from mother in a great while, and 
I most envy you your privilege and wonder why you did not send 
it to me, so that I might have the reading also; the last from fa- 
ther was when doctor returned. I have just been writing to Ed- 
ward how much we wish to see you both here and hope you will 
three of you come; there is work enough for you to do. We could 
give you a school all the time — an English school — our children 
and the children of the other families of the mission and perhaps 
some others; also, an Indian school some part of the time. 

Dearest Jane, you know not what special tokens of our dear 
Redeemer's love and mercy we have been receiving the last three 
months. Last Saturday, however, was a day of all days never to 
be forgotten by me, while I live. And can you think what it was, 
beloved sister? It was this: The triumphant death of a dear 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 1 93 

brother in Christ. I wish I could enter into particulars and lay 
out the whole scene before you so that you could see and feel it as 
I do and those who were witnesses of his glorious departure. The 
individual was Joseph L. Finley from Illinois, who came over 
with the last immigration for his health; his disease was consump- 
tion, and deep-seated when he left the States. He was advised to 
stop here for the winter because it would be so unfavourable for 
invalids in the lower country in the winter. You will wonder how 
I could have the care of him in my feeble state of health and 
large family. He kept about until about the middle of January 
and during that time boarded with a cousin that stopped for the 
winter; when he became confined to his room, I opened my bed- 
room to him, as there was no other on the premises suitable for 
a sick man, and a cousin, a young woman, came and took care of 
him until the families left for the Willamette, the first of March. 
Mr. Rogers, our school teacher, had the principal care of him, as 
also during the journey. He was without a well-grounded hope 
when he came here, and the Lord was pleased to bless our efforts 
for his salvation. He afterwards desired to unite with our church, 
and accordingly did Feb. 26th, in company with Mr. Rogers, who 
had formerly been a member of the Seceders. Being in my fam- 
ily, I was very much with him and read and prayed with him al- 
most daily towards the close of his life. He grew in grace stead- 
ily and felt that he was over-privileged to die in such a quiet 
place, where he could have the society of those who cared for his 
soul. Dear sister — he was a stranger, moneyless and friendless, in 
one sense — no relative who felt the responsibility of caring for 
him. He was just such a one as the Saviour says, "Inasmuch as 
ye have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done 
it unto me." 

Mr. Finley was nearly 32 years of age — was never married. 

We felt, that is Brother Rogers and myself, that we were 
abundantly rewarded for all the care and labour we had bestowed 
upon him. It was such a glorious sight, especially to Brother 
Spalding and Brother Rogers, who had never seen the like 
before. Husband and myself saw much the same in Mrs. Sat- 



194 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

terlee, at Liberty, when we were coming to this country. Let us 
praise the Lord, dear sister, and live so that our death may be 
as triumphantly glorious. 

Affectionately your sister, 

Narcissa Whitman. 
Mr. Edward W. Prentiss, 

Quincy, 

Illinois. 



Waiilatpu, May 15th, 1846. 

Edward and Jane Prentiss, My Dear Brother and Sister: — It 
gave us much pleasure to receive your letter by the last emigra- 
tion, but it would have given us more to have seen you both here. 
If I could have known more when I was home I would have tried 
to have had you both come out with me. It is now, however, 
still favourable for you to come. Narcissa wants Jane to come 
and I want Edward, but it is not for us that you should come but 
for yourselves and the Lord. Edward would do well to have a 
wife and then come, and Jane will be agreeable with or without a 
husband, as suits her best; but if she comes without one, I shall 
try to convince her of her duty to marry. This country needs 
those who are able and willing to found and support society, re- 
ligion, and schools. There are the best inducements to young 
men to come and locate a mile square of first-rate land in a 
better climate than in any of the States, with the broad Pacific 
ocean to open in prospect before them. A good title will be 
secured to all who locate and reside on or occupy land or mile 
squares, according to the Oregon laws. 

You must see how fine it is for a settler not only not to have 
to feed his stock as a general thing, but when he first comes, his 
poor stock can winter the fir=>t winter without the need of provid- 
ing for them. We want a school teacher every winter, and shall 
like to employ you the first winter, at least, until you can look 
around. We had a good, pious teacher last winter and may have 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 195 

him the next. He adds instruction in musick. I believe he wrote 
Jane on the spur of Mrs. Whitman's promising to write his mother 
in case he would write one of her friends. He is studying for the 
ministry with one of the ministers of our mission, Rev. Elkanah 
Walker. 

It cannot be much for you to come the rest of the way now 
you are so near, and more since you have become weaned from 
favorite spots of your youth. If Father and Mother Prentiss 
should consent to come with you, I think they would be rejoiced 
in their old age. A light wagon with an ox team is the best for 
families, as all must keep company on the road. Eet provisions 
so far as can be, be the only loading. Necessities for the journey 
are all you want, unless you have special reasons for bringing 
something in particular. The intimations in your letter that you 
might come if we would write you, give us hope to look for you 
the next year. In the meantime.get Brother Jackson and Kenny, 
etc., to come with you, as also Galusha and Father and Mother 
Prentiss. 

It is a hurried letter I have to give you, but I hope it will be 
taken as a token of our love to you both, with desire to see you. 

With our united love to you both, 

I am your affectionate brother, 

Marcus Whitman. 

Jane, you need not fear what rny husband says. I am not 
anxious you should without you find a good husband and desire 
to. But come and see us at any rate. Mr. Rogers has written 
you and given you much interesting information about the jour- 
ney, etc. Don't take it amiss that he has written you — he has 
"illy helped me to tell a part of my story. I should have written 
to his mother if I could, but I have had to write such a long 
letter to Mr. Finley's father — the young man that died here — 
that I could not get the time. 1 wish you could see it. He lives 
in the same town that Mr. Roger's parents do, so if Edward ever 
travels there he can inquire for it if you please, and they are 
willing to show it. E. and Jane, where are you now? Have ymi 



I96 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

gone back to see mother again? I wish I could see her, too; but 
you will not thank me for writing so. I am in a hurry and can- 
not do otherwise; so this or none. Goodbye; come and see us as 
soon as you can. Love to all inquiriug friends. 

Your sister, 

Narcissa. 
Mr. Edward W. Prentiss, 

Quincy, 

Illinois. 
Care of Mr. Pope. 



WaiilaTpu, July 17th, 1S46. 

My Dear Mrs. Brewer: — A long silence has prevailed of late 
between us as to letter writing, and it is perhaps my fault as much 
as any one. I find it increasingly difficult for me to command a 
sufficient relief from the cares of so numerous a family of chil- 
dren to write as many letters as I desire to. Another reason — I 
have been looking for a visit from you all summer long, and do- 
not yet feel willing to give it up. We have heard you started 
once and came part way and was obliged to return on account of 
sickness. 1 regret this very much, for had you come at that time 
you would have met Mr. and Mrs. Eells here, who would have 
rejoiced very much to see you. Will you not make another effort 
when Mr. S. returns and accompany him. I should be so delighted 
to see you and yours once more, and also to become acquainted 
with Mr. and Mrs. Gary of whom I have. heard much. This is a 
dry and thirsty land for Christian communion and fellowship. I 
do long for the society of some Christian sisters. 

We have had a quiet time for a few weeks past, and a precious 
season of rest it has been to us. We seem to be renewing strength 
for the season of burthen and trial that generally falls upon us 
the other portions of the year. I have been trying to read a little, 
for I find my mind suffers without more food than I am able to 
give it at some seasons, especially when we are thronged with 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION I97 

company, and many and complicated duties are pressing upon 
our hands. 

But seasons of rest and quiet are of but short duration both 
for you as well as us. The Indians tell us that more Americans 
are coming, so that we shall soon be thronged again. We are 
looking with some interest for an associate to be among them, 
and hope we shall not be disappointed. 

The Indians are very quiet now and never more friendly. 
There has been some deaths among them of the most important 
Indians, the past winter and spring, and we are not without hope 
that some of them have gone to be with the Saviour. So far as 
the Indians are concerned our prospects of permanently remain- 
ing among them were never more favourable then the present. I 
feel distressed sometimes to think I am making so little personal 
effort for their benefit, when so much ought to be done, but per- 
haps I could not do more than I am through the family. It is 
a great pleasure to them to see so many children growing up in 
their midst. Perrin, the eldest, is able to read Nez Perces to them 
and when husband is gone, takes his place and holds meetings 
with them. This delights them very much. I have much to write 
you, but I am still waiting, hoping to see you. But I will give 
you a specimen of my eligible situation for writing. I have six 
girls sewing around me, or rather five — for one is reading, and the 
same time my baby is asking to go and bathe — she is two years 
the last of May, and her uneasiness and talk does not help me to 
many very profitable ideas. Now another comes with her work 
for me to fix. So it is from morning until evening; I must be 
with them or else they will be doing something they should not, 
or else not spending their time profitably. I could get along 
some easier if I could bring my mind to have them spend their 
time in play, but this I cannot. Now all the girls have gone to 
bathe and this will give me time for a few moments to close my 
letter in peace; they are very good girls and soon will be more help 
to me than they are now, although at present they do consider- 
able work. Please give my love to all your missionary friends 

and believe me, as ever, 

Sincerely yours, 

N. Whitman. 



198 TWENTY-FIRST' 1 ANNUAL REUNION 

Waiii,ATPU, Oct. 19th, 1846. 

Dear Sister: — I have been trying to write you some time, but 
find it difficult on account of bustle and necessary care, and even 
now it is not much better. By Mr. Littlejohn we wrote you and 
Brother Waller, inviting you to send your children to school; as 
you said nothing about it in your last, we think perhaps you did 
not receive the letter. Be that as it may, we would be glad to 
have you send your child if you think she is not too young, and 
particularly Brother and Sister Waller, as they have expressed a 
wish to Brother Spalding when he was there. We have an excel- 
lent school, taught by Mr. Geiger, and when he leaves, Mr. Rogers 
will continue. We have been looking for Brother Waller to bring 
his children for some time, and hope he will yet do it. 

I have much to say to you and would be glad to write much 
longer, but you must excuse me for the present as I have been 
washing today and am now coloring madder. I send this by 
some young men of the immigrants who are to leave today, and 
are the last, among whom there is one from Massachusetts; you 
will find him intelligent and learn, perhaps, news about your 
home. He is a member of the Congregational church and re- 
turns next spring for his father's family. 

Affectionately yours, 

N. W. 

Please excuse so short a letter; I hope to do better soon. Be- 
cause it is so difficult for husband and self to write, I persuaded 
Mr. R. to write to your husband. Adieu. 

Mrs. L. L. Brewer, 

Wascopum. 
Favour of Mr. Imbree. 



Waiilatpu, Nov. 5th, 1846. 

Rev. L. P. Judson, My Dear Brother: — I have a last moment 
to spare in writing, and I have resolved to write to you, inasmuch 
as you have given me the hint by the note you appended to a fam- 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 199 

ily letter from Mrs. Whitman's friends. I am going to write 
plainlv to you, for we love you and do not like to see your 
influence and usefulness abridged. I have known you long and 
well — better perhaps than you me. I esteem you for your warm 
affections and ardent temperament, but although these are ami- 
able qualities, they are like the health of an infant, of so high 
and excitable a nature that it is but a step between them and 
derangement or disease. Mental disease is not suspected by the 
person who is the subject of it. But do not be surprised at what 
I am intimating. There are but few who are possessed of perfectly 
balanced minds. I have felt and acted with you on points to 
which the public mind was not awake, nor ready for action. It is 
well to be awake on all important points of duty and truth, but 
it can do no good to be ultra on any of these points. Why part 
friends for an opinion only, and that, too, when nothing is to be 
gained for truth or principle, and much lost of confidence, love, 
usefulness, enjoyment and interest. 

Why trouble those you cannot convince with any peculiar- 
ityof your own sentiment, especially if it is likely to debar you 
from the opportunity of usefulness to them. By one part of your 
own confession let me confute your ultra perfectionism ; that is, 
you complain of not being perfect and pray for more sanctifica- 
tion. Now, brother, let that suffice that as long as you have to 
pray for sanctification you are not perfect, and that as long as you 
live y»u will pray for it and then conclude you will be perfect 
when "this mortal shall put on immortality and this corruption 
shall have put on incorruption," and not till then; and then let 
us cry, "Grace; grace unto it." Do not think of being an ultra 
perfectionist until you could bear to hear a man say, "I have al- 
ready attained and am already perfect, and to use only thanks- 
giving to God for his having attained to and being perfect, in- 
stead of praying for more sanctification." If you could arrive at 
the point where you felt you were perfect, of course you would 
no longer pray for sanctification, and what would be your prayer 
after that? Let the thought awe you, for such cannot be the 
prayer of mortal in the flesh. Prayer becomes us, and we shall 



200 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL EEUNION 

not be fitted in this life to join in the song of praise triumphant, 
of Moses and the Lamb. And now for Millerism. 

I was in Boston when the famous time came for the end of 
the world, but I did not conclude that as the time was so short 
I would not concern myself to return to my family. But I did 
conclude that inasmuch as you had adopted such sentiments, you 
were not prepared for any work calling for time in its execution, 
and thinking the work of time so short with you that it would 
be in vain to call forth any principle to your mind that would 
involve length of time for its execution, I was contented to pass 
you in silence. For to my mind all my work and plans involved 
time and distance, and required confidence in the stability of God's 
government and purpose to give the heathen to His son for an 
inheritance, and among them those uttermost parts of the earth 
for His possession. 

I had adopted Oregon as my country, as well as the Indians 
for my field of labour, so that I must superintend the immigration 
of that y^ar, which was to lay the foundation for the speedy set- 
tlement of the country if prosperously conducted and safely 
carried through; but if it failed and became disastrous, the reflex 
influence would be to discourage for a long time any further at- 
tempt to settle the country across the mountains, which would be 
to see it abandoned altogether. Now, mark the difference between 
the sentiments of you and me. Since that time you have allowed 
yourself to be laid aside from the ministry, and have parted with 
tried friends for an opinion only, and that opinion has done you 
nor no one else any good. Within the same time, I have returned 
to my field of labour, and in my return brought a large immigra- 
tion of about one thousand individuals safely through the long 
and the last part of it an untried route to the western shores of 
the continent. Now that they were once safely conducted through, 
three successive immigrations have followed after them, and two 
routes for wagons are now open into the Willamette valley. 

Mark, had I been of your mind I should have slept, and 
now the Jesuit Papists would have been in quiet possession of 
this the only spot in the western horizon of America not before 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 201 

their own. They were fast fixing themselves here, and had we 
missionaries had no American population to come in to hold on 
and give stability, it would have been but a small work for them 
and the friends of English interests, which they had also fully 
avowed, to have routed us, and then the country might have slept 
in their hands forever. 

Time is not so short yet but it is quite important that such 
a country as Oregon should not on one hand fall into the exclu- 
sive hands of the Jesuits, nor on the other under the English 
government. In all the business of this world we require time. 
And now let us redeem it, and then we shall be ready, and our 
Lord will not come upon us unawares. Come, then, to Oregon, 
resume your former motto, which seemed to be onward and up- 
ward — that is in principle, action, duty and attainments, and in 
holiness. Dismiss all ultraism, and then you will be co-operative 
and happy in the society of acting and active Christians. I say 
again, come to Oregon; but do not bring principles of discord 
with you. 

This is a country requiring devoted, pious labourers in the 
service of our Lord. There are many and great advantages offered 
to those who come at once. A mile square, or 640 acres of land 
such as you may select and that of the best of land, and in a 
near proximity to a vast ocean and in a mild climate where 
stock feed out all winter, is not a small boon. Nor should men 
of piety and principle leave it all to be taken by worldlings and 
worldly men. 

A man of your stamp can do much by coming to this coun- 
try, if you adopt correct principles and action. Should you come, 
the best way is to take a raft at Olean, if you are near Cuba at 
the time of starting. You will need to bring bedding with you 
for the journey, so that you can come on a raft, and also take a 
deck passage on the steamboat if you wish to be saving of money. 
A piece of cloth painted suitable to spread under a bed will be 
most useful. Do not bring feathers, but let your bed be made of 
blankets, quilts, etc. If you want any goods after you get into 
the country, be sure and have them come around by water, if you 



202 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

do not like to trust the shippers in the country. A train of oxen 
will be the best with a light wagon; no loading except provis- 
ions. Good sheep are excellent stock to drive, and travel well. 
Some sheep we imported from the Sandwich Islands in 1838, 
have increased one hundred and twenty-five per cent, in eight 
years. Think of what a few good men could do to come together 
into the country. On the way they could make a party of their 
own and so rest on the Sabbath. With 640 acres of land as bounty, 
they could, by mutual consent, set apart a portion for the main- 
tenance of the gospel and for schools and learning in such form as 
they felt disposed. 

A large country to the south as far as the California line is 
now open by the new wagon route made this fall. 

You have a good faculty to be a pioneer and lead out a colony; 
that is to start people to come. But when once on the way do 
not over-persuade, but remember that the best of men and women 
when fatigued and anxious by the way will be very jealous of all 
their rights and privileges and must be left to take their own way 
if possible. Restraint will not be borne under such circumstances. 

As I do not know where to sent to reach you, I will direct 
this to the care of Father Prentiss, who will forward it to you, 
after reading it himself. 

The Indians are doing very well we think in their way and 
their habits of civilization. A good attention is paid to religious 
instruction. Morning and evening worship is quite general in 
their lodges, and a blessing is strictly regarded as being a duty to 
be asked upon taking food. 

I do not think you can be ignorant of the advantages of this 
country, nor of its disadvantages. I wrote a letter to Father Hotch- 
kiss, which I hope was copied and sent to Father Prentiss, which 
you may have seen. That applies to this section and climate. 
The country best suited for settlement are the Willamette valley 
and the coast west. Then the valley of the Umpqua on the 
south, and still south the Klamath which takes you south to the 
California line. 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 203 

North of the Columbia, you know, is iu dispute between the 
British and the States; you may early learn the result. 

The greatest objection to the country west of the Cascade 
range is the rains in Avinter. But that is more than overbalanced 
by the exemption from the care and labour of feeding stock. It 
is not that so much rain falls, but that it rains a great many 
days from November to April or May. People that are settled do 
not find it so rainy as to be much of an objection. It is a climate 
much like England in that respect. 

I hope you will excuse the freedom with which I have writ- 
ten. If we shall see each other, we can better bring our thoughts 
to harmonize. 

Narcissa's health is on the gain, and is now pretty good. She 
joins me in love to yourself and wife, hoping to see you both in 
due time. 

In the best of bonds, 

Yours truly, 

Marcus Whitman. 



Dear Brother Judson: — Husband has written you a long let- 
ter, for which I am glad, for he can write so much better than I 
can. I do hope you will accept of his invitation and come to 
Oregon. We want to see you very much, and there is much good 
to be done for this country in the cause of Christ. Your heart is 
here, I believe, and ever has been, and you are just the one to 
come. Wife and children need be no hindrance, but will be a 
great comfort — true it is some. 

We feel a deep interest in you and love you still, and ever 
shall, not only for your own worth, but for her sake who was so 
dear to both you and us. It is a cause of great gratitude that, 
although the Lord has broken your heart, he has, as it were, bound 
it up again, and given you still to enjoy the endearing relation of 
wife, and what is not a small consideration, that of father to a 
beloved son. Bless the Lord for these great mercies, my brother, 



204 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

for we never know trie full strength- of them until they are sev- 
ered. Should you be called to lay that little son in the grave you 
would then know the depths of a father's love. 

Please remember me affectionately to your dear wife, and 
say to her that I should be most happy to receive a letter from 
her. I would have written you both by this opportunity upon 
a separate sheet, but for the want of time. 

My family is large and I have much to see to in the care of 
so many children. Although they are not mine by birth, yet I 
am interested in them and am much better pleased than if I had 
not the opportunity of actiug the part of a mother. It is a satis- 
faction to feel that we are doing good and saving many individ- 
uals from being worse than useless in this world and lost in the 
world to come. 

Henrietta, my baby, is a sweet, interesting child, and loves me 
as my own Alice used to, and I love her dearly; but that tender 
anxiety, so peculiar to mothers for their own offspring, is not for 
me to feel toward her, because it is impossible. She is now two 
years and five months old, and attends school and is very happy. 

For some reason I feel assured that you will come to Oregon, 
and that I shall live to see you and converse with you face to face 
here in our cheerful, happy home. Till then adieu, my dear 
brother and sister, and may the Lord bless you and make you per- 
fect unto every work through Him that loved us and gave himself 
for us. 

As ever, your affectionate sister, 

Narcissa Whitman. 
Rev. Lyman P. Judson, or 

Hon. Stephen Prentiss, 

Cuba, 

Allegheny County, 

New York. 



OREGON ASSOCIATION PIONEER 205 



Waiilatpu, Oregon Territory, United States,! 

April 15, 1847. J 

My Dear Jane: — I received your letter of March 27th, 1846, a 
week ago yesterday, and for a whole day I could think of nothing 
else but you and weep. Not a letter that I have ever received 
from home has ever given me such intense feelings as this last of 
yours. I am glad you wrote me so much about yourself. If you 
had said a great deal more I would have been much better satis- 
fied. True, we are strangers to each other as it regards our situa- 
tion and circumstances; but dear and beloved as ever. Scarcely 
a week or day passes without some incident or other bringing 
you to mind, and we often converse about you. Oh! how we wish 
you were here now, this very moment. It seems to me as if you 
would be happier than ever in your life before. Perhaps it is be- 
cause I feel that I should be so, which make me think that you 
w>uld be; at any rate, I have every reason to feel that you would 
be far more so than where you now are. There are many happy 
little beings here that would delight to call you Aunt Jane, and 
some larger ones, too. Why did you not come with Mr. and Mrs. 
Tin unton? Had you not the means? Oh! if you could only get 
here in some safe way, we would be willing to pay most any 
price for bringing you. You say, "you shall have to see our dear 
mother first." I do not blame you, I would see her if I could. 
But seeing you cannot go home, you had better come here than 
stay there and perhaps after a while we may go together and see 
our beloved parents. Even now while I am writing I feel that 
perhaps my dear Jane and Edward are starting, or are on their 
way here. Oh! if I might indulge this feeling. I do, notwithstand- 
ing the improbabilities, and that, too, perhaps, to be disappointed. 
There is work enough here for you, and E., too, and just such 
work as you delight in, and we have not the afflicting trials of 
which you speak, opposition from those who ought to support 
and sustain us. True, we have our trials, but they can be borne with- 
out so sorely afflicting us. If we could only know when you would 
come, we would send horses to meet you at Fort Hall. As it is I 
feel so confident that you may be on your way now that I intend 



206 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

writing this spring to a friend of ours, Mr. McDonald of Fort 
Hall, and request hirn to find you out and assist you down, if you 
are not so well provided as not to need his assistance. This en- 
couragement we take from dear Edward's letter written in '45, and 
we wrote you last spring and particularly insisted on your com- 
ing immediately. Those letters I think you must have received, 
as they were put in the hands of Mr. Palmer, who designed to 
reach the States as soon as possible; and he gave me some en- 
couragement to believe that he would call on you and deliver the 
letters with his own hands. He said he should return this spring 
with his family, and if I had known as much of your circum- 
stances as I now do, we could have said more to Mr. P. about you, 
and even engaged him to bring you, and we would have satisfied 
him for it. 

The Lord bless you, my dear sister, and reward }-ou an hun- 
dred-fold even in this life for all the trials and afflictions. He 
calls you to meet with, in your efforts to promote His glorious 
cause, and blessed be His name that He gives you grace to with- 
stand temptation, and a time-serving spirit. 

My dear husband is gone to Vancouver and has been absent 
for several weeks. But I am now looking for him every moment. 
Indeed, dear Jane, you know not how much of the time he is 
away, necessarily, from home. That is one very good reason why 
I want you here. True, I am not without my comforts, even 
when he is away. The Lord has sent us a dear good brother who 
has now been with us more than a year, in whose society I find 
much enjoyment and satisfaction. He is the same who wrote 
you last spring, and you may judge from his letter something of 
what he is. We talk, sing, labour, and study together; indeed, he 
is the best associate I ever had, Marcus excepted, and better than 
I ever expect to get again, unless you and Edward come and live 
with me. He has always seemed to me very much like Brother Ste- 
phen, and I have often fancied myself enjoying his society again. 
I can assure you it is no small comfort to have someone to sing 
with who knows how to sing, for it is true, Jane, I love to sing 
just as well as ever. From what I have heard of Edward, it 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 207 

would be pleasant to hear him again; as for you, kala tilapsa 
kunka (I am longing for you continually to sing with), and it 
may be, put us all together, with the violin which Mr. Rogers 
plays, we should make music such as would cause the Indians to 
stare. 

May iSth — My Dear /ant': — The time has nearly arrived for 
sending this. I have just been writing Mr. McDonald of Fort 
Hall requesting him to find you out and assist you down. Don't 
go the southern route as Mrs. Thornton did and nearly lost her 
life by it. They lost everything they had and suffered untold 
hardships. If I had time I could tell you more about it. I am 
just now preparing to go toTshimakain station with Messrs. Eells 
and Walker to attend a meeting of mission. It is 180 miles 
north of us. I have not made a journey on horseback for six or 
seven years, and you will doubtless be pleased to hear that mv 
health is so much improved as to be able to undertake such a 
journey again. I am going to start in the care of Mr. Rogers, 
expecting to overtake Mr. Eells, who has just been here on a visit 
and gone to Walla Walla for some goods. Husband can go much 
quicker than I like to ride, and as he is obliged to settle with 
and see to the starting of the immigrants that wintered here, he 
does not leave home until several days after I do, and then goes 
by way of Mr. Spalding's, to notify him and see to some business 
there. So you see my dear Marcus is almost always on the move. 
A head and heart more full of benevolent plans, and hands more 
ready in the execution of them for the good of the poor Indian 
and the white population of the country, you have probably never 
seen. I would write you several pages, but if this should meet 
you on the way, and you are soon to be here as we most earnestly 
desire, I had much rather talk with you than write; but if other- 
wise — if this still finds you in Ouincy — then be sure and come 
next year. Do not wait to go and see mother first; corhe and see 
me and then let us go together, or perhaps she may come and see 
us. If you are destitute of the means, then get some one to bring 
you and we will pay them in provisions or any thing else that 
we have to spare when they arrive. If you had a good horse and 
a good side-saddle, it would be better for vou than to come with- 



208 TWENTIETH ANNUAL REUNION 

out. I shall not be able to write to father, mother, or any of the 
family now, but if there is time after we return I may do it then.' 
Husband is equally pressed and cannot write to any one more 
than the Board. He would like to write to Mr. Foote, but cannot 
now. We should have been happy to have had Mr. and Mrs. 
Thornton to winter with us, but they did not come this way. 
How many will go the southern route this year I cannot^tell, but 
I could wish my friends would not. 

I should like to say much about the Indians, but cannot. 
Our prospects for usefulness among them never have been more 
encouraging than at present. The field is white for the harvest 
and labourers are needed to enter in and reap. The Lord has in- 
clined the heart of Brother Rogers to devote himself to the work, 
and he is now engaged in studying the language. We have just 
received a letter from the Dalls, a station of the Methodist mis- 
sion, wishing this mission to take that station, as they judged 
best to abandon it. To this mission it is a very important station, 
and the brethren will probably think it best to occupy it; but we 
shall need more help still, and God grant to send labourers into 
His harvest. 

All unite in sending much love to you both, praying and 
hoping that we may be permitted to see you both here soon, dear 
sister and brother. 

Affectionately yours, 

Narcissa Whitman. 
Miss Jane A. Prentiss, 

Quincv, 

Illinois. 



Waiilatpu, Oregon Territory, j 
July 4th, 1847. / 

Mv Dear Mother: — It was not convenient for me to write to 
any of my friends in the States, the past spring by the returning 
immigrants except sister Jane. To her I wrote briefly, in answer 
to the one received in March by the hand of Mr. and Mrs. Thorn- 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 209 

ton, who came from Ouincy, Illinois. It was nearly a year in 
reaching me in consequence of Mr. and Mrs. Thornton taking the 
southern route with the majority of the immigrants. What would 
dear mother and father think if they knew how anxiously and 
eagerly I am expecting Jane and Edward to come with the immi- 
grants of the season. It is, indeed, so. We are looking for them 
with deep solicitude, and hope and pray that we may not be dis- 
appointed. From what she wrote me last spring, I think she 
would have come with Mrs. Thornton, except for her mother; she 
desired very much to see her first. It was the same with her 
when Marcus was there. She could not come with him without 
seeing mother first. Although I think she might have been pre- 
vailed upon at that time to have come with him, if he could have 
seen a way to have brought her, when he was in Quincy. He 
learned afterwards that she might have come very safely and com- 
fortably with one of the families that were coming at that time. 
I was greatly disappointed and felt almost inclined to reproach 
my husband for not making more effort to bring her. But it was 
all right; he did the best he could under existing circumstances. 
Since that time I have rather been waiting in hopes Edward 
would complete his course of study and be appointed by the 
Board to come and bring her with him. 

From their letters it appears he has not been making that 
progress desirable, and in his last he intimated that he desired to 
come to this country and wished to know of us if we would en- 
courage it. Accordingly, last spring a year, we wrote to them both 
and set before them every possible inducement to have them come 
immediately, Consequently we are looking for them and shall 
be not a little disappointed if they should not come. Perhaps 
my beloved parents would wish to know some of the reasons why, 
or the object for which we wish to have them here. I need not 
speak of the comfort and enjoyment their society would afford us 
here in this far-distant land. That is self-evident. In a tempor- 
al view, we feel that they would be better situated here than 
where they now are. As it regards their usefulness, perhaps no 
place could be found where they could do more for the advance- 
ment of the precious cause of our dear Redeemer, and with better 



2IO TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

success, than here, whether it be as missionaries to the Indians or 
as Christian teachers among the white population of this country. 
Good help of every kind is needed here in our missionary work, 
and if they were now here we could fill their hands (or the Lord 
could) and their hearts, too, with just as much missionary work 
as they could well do. If E. still desires to finish his preparation 
for the Gospel ministry, we would certainly do all in our power 
to facilitate him, and at the same time he could render himself 
useful in teaching a part of the time and be of great service to us. 
We have now in our family a young man of real worth (and he 
has been with us almost two years), who came to this country 
principally forthe benefit of his health, thinking to return again 
after a season, but finding it improving he has for more than a 
year past been pursuing a course of reading and study with a view 
to the ministr)-. He had commenced studying before leaving home, 
but had been obliged to desist on account of his health. Since 
living with us, he has had his mind much drawn towards the sub- 
ject of devoting his life for the benefit of the heathen, and last 
spring came to the determination of doing so; consequently, he is 
now pursuing the study of Nez Perces language in connection with 
his other studies. Thus the Lord has had compassion on us and 
inclined the heart of one dear youth to enter this field of mission- 
ary labour. 

We have often asked for more associates of the Beard, and 
thev have met our solicitations with encouragement and many 
promises, and at one time had an individual appointed for this 
station; but he failed to meet his engagements and went over to 
the Presbyterian Board and was sent by them to some other part 
of the world. At present we have no encouragement that any 
will be sent very soon. There seems to be a great destitution of 
laborers at the present time, or of those who are qualified and 
willing to go forth to the missionary work. This mission is 
needing another missionary very much to occupy a new station just 
offered us by the superintendent of the Methodist Mission. It is 
the Waskopum station, situated at the Dalls, where I spent the 
winter while my husband was absent to the States. It is an in- 
teresting and very imporfant station, particularly so with refer- 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 211 

ence to its locality to this mission, as well as li> the cause of civ- 
ilization and Christianity in the country at large. Our mission 
have appointed Mr. Walker, of the Tshiniakain station, to occu- 
py it for the present, until sonic other oik* can be obtained. 

Tuesday, July 15th — While engaged in writing the above, I 

was interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Ilininan from the Willam- 
ette, lie is the young man thai taught our school the winter of 
1S44, of whom 1 wrote a-- becoming a Christian and uniting with 
our church. He has come up to try to obtain the use of the mis- 
sion press for the purpose of printing another paper in the Wil- 
lamette. He has now gone on to see the other mem hers of the 
mission, and will probably visit both stations before he returns. 
He has given us much intelligence concerning the lower country. 
Five ships are now in the river from different parts of the world. 

Christians of all denominations are trying to do something 
for the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom in the land; but the ene- 
mies of the cross of Christ are doing much faster. 

If I had time I might write much concerning the lower coun- 
try that would be of interest, but for the present I desire to 
speak of our own prospects as a mission, which we feel 
were never brighter than the present moment. Shortly after clos- 
ing my letter to Sister Jane, I took a journey to Tshiniakain to 
attend a general meeting of our mission. It is now six years this 
month since I made the same journey. Since that time 1 have 
been obliged to avoid journeying on horseback, on account of my 
health until the present season. I am happy to inform you that 
m\ health has so much improved that 1 endured the journey well, 
even much better than for three years previous to relinquishing 
the saddle altogether. For this I desire to be thankful. I was absent 
from home a little more than three weeks. Our meeting was an inter- 
estinp; one. Never probably since our existence as a mission, has 
a meeting been characterized by so great a manifestation of the 
influence of the spirit of God upon each member, as at that time. 
All seemed to feel that we had come to an import an t crisis and that 
God alone could and must direct us. Our Hoard had written and 



212 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

advised to abandon the Tshimakain station in consequence of the 
discouragements under which our brethren of that station were 
laboring. Mr. Kells was advised to remove to this station, and Mr. 
Walker to go to Kaniish, the station Mr. Smith formerly occupied. 
This advice, however, was accompanied with discretionary power. 
Soon after the arrival of Mr. Greene's letters, came the offer of the 
station at the Dalls. This all acknowledged to be an important 
acquisition; but wbo of our limited number should occupy it? 
After much deliberation and consultation, it was finally determined 
not to abandon altogether the station at Tshimakain, but that 
during the winter Mr. Eells with his family remove to this sta- 
tion to act as a minister in the English language for the benefit 
of our own families and those who may winter with us, and that 
during the summer his time be spent at Tshimakain, and in itin- 
erating among the Indians in that language. This arrangement 
is very much in consequence of the severity of the winter with 
them, it occupying so much of their time and strength in caring 
for themselves and their animals. Mr. Walker is recommended 
to occupy the station at the Dalls. for the present, at least, or un- 
til it is thought best to make some other arrangements. 

August 23 — My Dear Parents: — I see I cannot finish my letter 
without interruptions, and long ones, too. Another resolution of 
the meeting was that husband see to getting houses built for the 
mothers of the mission families, so that they could spend the win- 
ter here for the sake of having the children attend school. This 
would relieve me greatly of having to board them as I have done. 

Since I commenced this letter many changes have taken place, 
which entirely prostrate the plans and resolutions of the meeting. 
Mr. W. is unwilling to remove with his family this year, on ac- 
count of Mrs. W. being in a state of pregnancy, which was known at 
the time of the meeting, but not made an objection. Mr. Eells and 
family must remain with them throughout the winter, and conse- 
quently will not need a house here as was expected. Mrs. S. and 
children expect to come and winter here unless circumstances 
prevent. Marcus has now gone to Vancouver on business to bring 
up the property of the mission and see to the occupancy of the 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 213 

Dalls station. We are unwilling to let it pass out of our hands and 
fall into the hands of the Catholics. He expects to hire Mr. Hin- 
man, as he has a wife now, and both are pious, to take the charge 
of the secular affairs of the station, and in case we can do no bet- 
ter, let Perrin (the little boy that was with us in Cuba, but now grow 11 
to be quite a young man), his nephew, spend the winter with Mr' 
Hinman, as he is very successful in speaking the language, and 
can read and talk to them a little. Perrin, with one of our good 
Indians and Mr. Hinman, we think, will do very well in keeping 
up the station until a missionary can be sent. Perrin also in- 
dulges a hope. 

Husband has been absent more than two weeks and it will 
be three more probably before he returns. 

For the last two weeks immigrants have been passing, proba- 
bly 80 or 100 wagons have already passed and 1,000 are said to be 
on the road, besides the Mormons. Sixty have gone the southern 
route that proved so disastrous last year to all that went that 
way. I have heard that an individual passed us who had letters 
for us and others, so that we are deprived of hearing from our 
friends as soon as we otherwise should. It was just so last 
year, Mother's letter was carried by to the Dalls and brought 
up again after a week or two by Mr. Geiger and Mr. Littlejolni. 
who came up hereon a visit. Mr. G. spent the winter and taught 
school. Mr. E/ittlejohn and family have gone home to the States; 
they started this spring and came here while I was absent at the 
meeting. I was very sorry not to see her. She was Adeline Sad- 
dler; I presume you knew her. She was very unwilling to leave 
the country, but her husband has become such an hypochondriac 
that there was no living with him in peace. He wanted to kill 
himself last winter, it is well for him that he has gone to the 
States, where he can be taken care of. Poor woman; she is dis- 
consolate and sad, and greatly changed from what she used to be. 
It is difficult to define the cause of his malady. He seems to be 
very much like Mr. Munger, the individual we had here that he- 
came crazy, and at last caused his own death by driving two 
nails into one of his hands, and afterwards putting it into a 



214 OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 

hot fire until it was burnt to a crisp, as was supposed, to work 
a miracle. 

1 said in the commencement of my letter that I was expect- 
ing to see Jane and Edward this fall; but from those who have 
already passed we can hear nothing from them, notwithstanding 
they may be on the road, for among so many, it is not expected 
that all will be known to each other. 

It is difficult to imagine what kind of a winter we shall have 
this winter, for it will not be possible for so many to all pass 
through the Cascade mountains into the Willamette this fall, 
even if they should succeed in getting through the Blue Mountains 
as far as here. From the Dalls on to the Willamette is considered 
the worst part of the route from the States to the end, that is, to 
the Willamette valley. We are not likely to be as well off for 
provisions this season as usual — our crops are not as abundant. 

Poor people — those that are not able to get on, or pay for what 
they need — are those that will most likely wish to stop here, judg- 
ing from the past; and connected with this, is a disposition not 
to work, at any rate, not more than they can help. The poor In- 
dians are amazed at the overwhelming numbers of Americans 
coining into the country. They seem not to know what to make 
of it. Very many of the principal ones are dying, and some have 
been killed by other Indians, in going south into the region of 
California. The remaining ones seem attached to us, and cling to 
us the closer; cultivate their farms quite extensively, and do not 
wish to see any Sniapus (Americans) settle among them here; 
they are willing to have them spend the winter here, but in the 
spring they must all goon. They would be willing to have more 
missionaries stop and those devoted to their good. They expect 
that eventually this country will be settled by them, but they 
wish to see the Willamette filled up first. 

We wish to employ a teacher for the winter. If J. and l{. do 
not come, we must look out for someone among the immigrants. 
We should prefer an accomplished young lady from the Eastern 
States, if such could be found to teach the children of our families. 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 21 5 

Young ladies arc greatly needed in this country as teachers — also 
female help of all kinds. Many more men than women come 
into the country. Almost every body has been sick in the West- 
ern States which is said to be the cause of so large influx this way. 
When 1 heard that dear brother Harvey was going to Virginia, I 
could not but help desiring him to come this way. (), if lie was 
here now to take our farm, how much better it would be for him 
and us, too; we need just such a man. 1 would that he would come 
and two or three others just like him, for their help is greatly need- 
ed. I wrote him to come, but do not know that he got my letter. 
Husband is wearing out fast; his heart and hands are so full all 
the time, that his brethren feel solicitous about him, but cannot 
help him; his benevolence is unbounded, and he oftens goes to 
the extent of his ability, and often beyond, in doing good to the 
Indians and white men. 

It is probably not right forme to desire to have father and moth- 
er here; but still I cannot help thinking all the time, O, if they 
were here. God grant that they may live long to pray for their 
unworthy children among the Indians. 

We hear that a monthly mail route is to be, or already is, 
established on the coast south — a steamer to take packages from 
Panama, that come across the Isthmus of Darieu. I hope it will 
not be so difficult to hear from home as formerly. I intend to 
send this that way for an experiment. I send this by our man 
and John, one of the orphan boys, who go with two ox teams to 
the Dalles to bring up the threshing machine, cornsheller, ploughs 
for Indians, and other goods for the mission, also books for Mr. 
Rogers, the pious young man of wdiom I have spoken, that husband 
brings up in a boat from Vancouver. 

Now I have the care of two additional boys for a year, who 
are left here by their fathers for the benefit of school; they are 
native half breeds. May the richest of heaven's blessings ever 
rest upon my beloved father and mother. 

From your ever affectionate daughter, 

N \KC1SS A. 



2l6 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REUNION 

WaiilaTpu, Oct. 12th, 1847. 

Dear Jane: — Two men are at this place on their way to the 
States. One of them, Mr. Glenday, intends to return to this coun- 
try next spring with his fainily. I have importuned him, and 
made an arrangement to have you accompany them to Waiilatpu. 
Now Jane, will you do it? I know you will not refuse to come. 
At least I feel that you must and will come. I wrote you last 
spring and told you that I was expecting you and E. this fall, 
and I have been looking for you in every company that have 
passed. But I have not seen you nor received any letter from 
either of you. But a week or two ago when I was on the Utilla 
river, I saw an individual that told me that he had seen a brother 
of mine that was near Independence with his family, that he was 
intending to come to Oregon this season, but could not get ready, 
but would come next year. He furthermore told him that he 
wished to send a package to us, and would go to his house and 
get it, which was five miles distant, if he would bring it. This 
individual said he promised to bring it and would have waited 
for it had it been possible, but the company with whom he trav- 
eled started before he expected and he was obliged to leave before 
he returned with the package. From his description, I was con- 
fident that it was Brother Harvey, and you can better imagine 
than I can describe, the joy I felt on receiving such intelligence. 
I have also received a letter from father and Brother J. G. They 
tell me that H. was in the West and that you were with him. Mr. 
Glenday tells me that there is a teacher in Monticello Seminary 
of the name of Prentiss, and he thinks it must be you. I am 
at a loss to know where you are. I write you every spring, but 
I am not informed if you ever receive my letters. 

I will now give you the arrangements we have made with 
Mr. Glenday to have you come immediately and directly to us. 
He says when you receive this letter, he wishes you to get into a 
boat or stage and go directly to St. Charles and see Mrs. Glenday 
and make her acquaintance. She is a pious woman and he is 
highly pleased with the idea of your accompanying them to be 
company for her on the way. He says he will bring you free of 



OREGON PIONEER ASSOCIATION 217 

all expense. Of course we shall satisfy him when you arrive. We 
are confident that you could not have so good an opportunity to 
come to this country in any other way as with Mr. G. He is ac- 
customed to travel in an Indian country, and knows how perfect- 
ly. I am satisfied that if Brother H. and his family and E. and 
yourself would make the arrangement to come with him and 
would submit to be controlled by him (as he is coming in a small 
party by himself), you would be the gainers by it in the end. 
Perhaps you would think that for so small a party it would be 
dangerous traveling through the Indian country. Is would be 
for persons entirely unacquainted with the Indians and with 
traveling in the Indian country. But you may rely upon Mr. 
Glenday; that he knows how to travel and can escort you here 
quicker and safer and with less annoyance from dust and fatigue 
and worn out cattle and with half the expense that you would be 
at to come any other way. Notwithstanding if, after consulta- 
tion and due deliberation, Brother Harvey should think it not 
best to come with him but to remain with a company of wagons, 
you had better come with his family, as from what you wrote I 
judge you must be short of the means to get here comfortably, and 
I am confident you could not come so well in any other way. 
You will always hear it said by every one who knows anything 
about the way, "Bring as few things as possible." I would advise 
you and my brothers and Sister L. to be governed by Mr. G.'s ad- 
vice about what you bring, as well as the amount. I will add 
however, that I would prefer you would not cumber yourself with 
anything except what you need on the way, and to bring your 
minds to need as little as possible. I consider Mr. G. capable of 
giving you directions upon this subject, and such, too, as will meet 
my mind more fully than I can express by writing. We have 
enough to supply you when you get here; and if we have not we 
can get it here. 

You know not how much you are all needed here this present 
moment; yes, I may say, we are suffering and shall suffer for the 
want of your assistance and presence here this winter. 

Dear Jane, I have written in great haste, as I have but a 



2l8 TWENTIETH ANNUAL REUNION 

moment to write, and a hurried one at that; for it is all confusion 
as usual when immigrants are about us. I would write Brothers 
H. and E. and Sister E., but Mr. G. wishes to be burdened with as 
little as possible, for he may have to go on snow shoes a part of 
the way. He wishes to return next spring, and about the last of 
August encourages me to think that, if spared and prospered, he 
will set you down at our door. I cannot help feeling rejoiced 
that Providence has opened up a way, to appearance so favorable, 
for the safe, easy and speed}' transport of my dear Jane to my 
arms. I long to see you all, and should much prefer to have you 
all come with him if you felt it best. But he seems to think 
that my brothers would not be willing to come with him on 
account of traveling in so small a party. 

Wednesday morn — Dear Jane and Edward; — I have been talk- 
ing this morning to Mr. Glenday about you coming with him. I 
am at a loss how to direct him to find you. I do not know where 
Brother Harvey is. Father says he is in Ouincy and that you are 
with him and that Edward is in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. He is 
confident, however, that he will find you all and Brother H. as he 
goes in, especially if he is anywhere in the vicinity of Independ- 
ence. I expect husband will write Harvey if he gets away from 
his cares long enough; but lest he should not, I will suppose you 
all together and talk to you en masse, for it is impossible to write 
separate letters. We, that is husband and self, think it best for 
you all to come with him; and he is willing, provided you all 
would be willing to submit to his laws. He is a rigid mountain- 
eer, and the principal laws in an Indian country are to be partic- 
ular in guarding your animals lest you be robbed of them and 
left on foot. You cannot imagine the distress such an event 
would occasion. Man}' events of that kind have happened to the 
immigrants of the present year. It is hard work to cross the 
Rock}' Mountains in the easiest way it can be arranged. If I had 
the journey to make, and knew as much as I now do about travel- 
ing, I should by all means, prefer to travel in the camp of such a 
man as Mr. Glenday. If E. comes as a single man he will employ 
him and pay him wages to assist in driving sheep; consequently 



OREGON ASSOCIATION PIONEER 219 

lie could come without its costiug him anything. If he has a 
wife in view, he had better marry (that is if he has found a good 
one) — let his motto be "a good one or none." Mr. G. says he will 
be to the expense of Jane's outfit, and I think you may rely upon it. 
When you get this letter you must write him and direct to St. 
Charles post office, then he will write you and invite you to 
come. 

It may not be strange for you to be a little unbelieving and 
think it not true that we have sent for you, but when you see 
the big mule that we have sent for you, Jane, your heart may 
faint within you, and you will feel that it is, indeed, so. The 
name of the big mule is Uncle Sam. He was left here by Fremont 
when he was here on business for Uncle Sam. Mr. Rodgers is ex- 
pecting a brother-in-law, sister and parents, some time next 
summer. 

Jane, there will be no use in your going home to see ma and 
pa before 3'ou come here — it will only make the matter worse with 
your heart. I want to see her as much as you. If you will all 
come here it will not be long before they will be climbing over 
the Rocky Mountains to see us. The love of parents for their 
children is very great. I see already in their movements, indica- 
tions that they will ere long come this way, for father is becom- 
ing quite a traveler. Believe me, dear Jane, and ?ome without 
fail, when you have so good an opportunity. 

Farewell, 

N. W. 



f. oa 



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